Y LBRaRY 1 OF. CONGRESS, A pit ae Dr. be - ? 5 s 7 | Re UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. =-7 = en a +. < — a ~~ a 1% - es . ~ Pe a an ; acess | Sed Oe Aneel Carica sy hid ee Rae OD a tale a ere ae t “1 ve a me we, “vee Pee al i Rav oe : Noa an . Diep s Pog p re Oe eae a pict he os ia - a . : Ss ‘ a 7 7 fe % } —~— bit ¢ 7 ; 7 f 7 7 aq “= ae fe Bee F iia ah s ae — ia cee an s) nel tl Coie eo ENED "Si watt aan aioe a a any v2 ers Pe ey esi aS ee i 5 Pena a a Pigs ecw ve verte avi Ace oti ae } ; hae be * ; x." wr ’ ; oN ee ae, Cee ee + aes ‘A ote ie a en Haina ae : 7 risebaee b ha eRe bra Sab aee FIUAA Sch 2 ee si ee ae ode ea eee re A)? We ote ye ow tae IP if: ( “abi ) ree yer (Lo. , a Se) eo MT Aho dae : on " se iN, acne OPT See ae mene 1 See ah tee aS, 3 ps Aer - 8 - . . : A\™ > ‘Yad Tale oe Rem WSC MIE ALS Paani a - seu oe ea, be 7 one met. er ene en SMe eben osat . f7 > a 1S eae Bee are WA yd Se | as a x ce? 7 -— 7 _ Bf i ale ope Ane 1. os = ae > 4 fuse q 8! Me | hee 2 Cn ry i a ee Oe ee THE NEW BERKERPERY TEXT BOOK. BY Al. J. RING, EDITOR OF “THE BEE-KEEPERS' MAGAZINE.” TWENTY - FOURTH EDITION, FIFTY-SECOND THOUSAND. Being a thorough revision of the Old Text Book f : tf Pot Oe 7, a a By N. H & H. A. KING. ENLARGED AND ILLUSTRATED. “ fa NEW YORK: /1Witkg ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 245 BROADWAY. 1879, ——— Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, by A. J. KING & CO. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. I i ped ie BEE-KEEPERS EVERYWHERE — ¥ - nie. : 4 \ Mee a ieee aie vii i OSE CHOSEN PURSUIT HE WOULD GLADLY RENDER STILL oy ae) , Oho . ; \ MORE ATTRACTIVE, PLEASANT, AND PROFITABLE, . | ; THIS WORK IS PRESENTED AUTHOR, ‘PREFACE. Tux successful cultivation of the honey bee, depends upon a correct knowledge of the laws by which the economy of tae hive is regulated; comply with these laws and you reap a golden harvest—disregard them and disappointment and loss are the certain result. The following pages are designed to impart: ist. A knowledge of these laws. 2d. Instruction how to comply with their requirements. 3d. Caution against their violation. To accomplish these ends we have endeavored : Ist. To bring the language within the comprehension of the man of limited education and means, to whom bee-keeping com- mends itself on account of its large pecuniary returns for the capital and attention required. - 2d. ‘To present. the practical part of the subject fully and yet briefly, believing, as we do, that condensation, to the greatest possible extent consistent with a full exposition of the subject, not only diminishes the cost but increases the value of a work of this kind. 3d. To convey the most Seat knowledge, we have drawn’ from every available source, not having been ambitious to write a work purely original. Yet, as theories are worthless unless vi PREFACE. founded in truth, we have only accepted facts which have been demonstrated by eminent apiarians, and confirmed by many years’ experience of our own, devoted almost exclusively to bee culture. © _ In our investigations in apiarian science, we have received material aid from the writings of Huber, Bevan, Dzierzon, Quinby, Harbison, Langstroth, Miner, Metcalf, Wagner, and many others, both ancient and modern. Although the demand which called this work into existence was created by the favor with which the bee-keeping public received the American side-opening hive, yet we have endeav- ored to adapt the instruction to the use of both common and movable-comb hives. | N, H. & H. A. KING. PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION. — The size, cost, and character of the ‘‘Bee-Keepers’ Text Book” procured for it a great circulation. Simplicity of language, clearness of statement, and practical directness made it for years acceptable to to the general reader anda real hand book to the apiarian. When writ- ten it was abreast of the times; but new discoveries and inventions in apiculture render it necessary to revise the book so as to furnish all needed information to thousands now entering upon this promising industry. The old book was written in the era of patents and partly, in the interest of the American Hive, and treated partly of management in common box hives. Patents on important parts of hives are now ended, - and information for management in common box hives is not now necessary. | Many good movable comb hives are made at present and the only need now is for a text book to guide the beekeeper in the various mani- pulations of the apiary and adapted to all the improvements in bee- keeping, which is destined to become one of the great industries of America. Since the publication of the old book the invention of the Honey Extractor, and the successful use of artificial Comb-foundation have materially changed the mode of management necessary to secure the greatest results. In addition to these two great discoveries, im- proved smokers, feeders, and modes of securing and packing honey in vili - ' PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION: boxes, jars, and packages best suited to the market, are of such import- ance that we now issue THE NEW BEE-KEEPERS’ TEXT ROOK, in which all that is good in the old book is retained; that which has been out-grown, left out; and additions made, covering the full use of all im™ provements in bee-keeping so as to secure the very best results. We confidently commend the ‘‘New Bee-keepers’ Text Book” to all lovers of nature and all interested in this industry. The beginner will find in it just such information and guidance as he daily needs, and the advanced apiarian will find it a useful hand- book and companion. New York, June 201TH, 1878. INTRODUCTION. ‘-BEE-KEEPING. . THE culture of the honey bee has engaged the attention of intelligent and enterprising men of all ages; yet within a few years, by the introduction of improved movable frames and other improvements, this pursuit, always attractive, is rendered no longer a business of “luck” or chance, but as certain and more remunerative, with small capital, than any other rural occupation. About five years ago, it was estimated, in the “American Bee Journal,” that there were then seventy thousand bee- keepers in the United States, many attending to several apiaries, with from one hundred to three hundred swarms in each, and yet, with the increasing light and interest, hundreds, all over the country, are engaging in this branch of industry. In the mind of the uninformed but enquiring reader, a few questions will _ arise, which we will here only briefly notice, as he can refer, from the index, to each subject—more fully treated under its appropriate head. Is there not danger of overstocking the country ? Says M. Quinby, one of the most extensive bee-keepers in the world, ‘‘this interest in bees should be encouraged to continue till enough are kept to collect all the honey now wasted, which, ecmpared with the present collectiors, would be more than a thonsand pounds to one.” . x INTRODUCTION. Do not some fail of success in bee-keeping 2 Yes, just as the farmer fails who neglects his fences, plows his lands when too wet, or crops them until their fertility is exhausted. So inbee-keeping. Some fail through gross neglect, or allow their bees to become so weakened by overswarming as to fall an easy prey to the moth; while others “divide” till they are left without “quotient” or “‘remainder.” Let us profit by their experience, and prosperity will be the result. Is not watching for swarms, hiving, &c., perplexing in large apiaries ? Yes: and you will find a complete remedy in the chapter on “ Nucleus Swarming,” which enables you to swarm many stocks at one time, securing to each new swarm a fertile queen, without removing the old queen from the parent stock or scarcely inter- rupting its labors. By this method, you will obtain a steady increase of stocks, avoid queenless swarms by loss of young queens; thus, all colonies are kept strong, enabling them to bid defiance to the moth-miller and other enemies. This, in the words of an eminently practical bee-keeper, “‘is both sure and economical ;” doing away with all watching and loss by flight to the woods. Ts tt true that there are only a few who understand the secret of handling or “charming” bees ? ; That there are a few who claim to have some great secret, and convince gaping crowds by performing tricks and wonder- — ful [?] feats with bees, (not forgetting to pocket the proceeds of — the supposed secret,) we readily admit. Yet, it is also true that there are hundreds of successful bee-keepers in the United States, INTRODUCTION. xi 4 who esteem the good of the cause and their reputation, of more value than money thus obtained from the uninformed, and freely communicate instruction how to safely perform all needful opera- tions. One of them says, “acquaint yourself with the principles of management, * * and you will find that you have little more reason to dread the sting of a bee than the horns of a favorite cow, or the heels of your faithful horse.” WHO SHOULD KEEP BEES? We reply, all classes who want a healthy, pleasant and profit- able occupation. Says Rev. Robert Baird, “there are few portions of our country which are not admirably adapted to the culture of the honey bee. The wealth of the nation might be increased by millions of dollars, if every family favorably situated, would keep a few hives. No other branch of industry can be named, in which there need be so little loss on the material employed, or which so completely derives its profits from the vast and exhaust- less domains of nature.” The Farmer should keep Bees to collect the honey afforded by his orchards, timber lands and broad pasture fields; for “profit must attend success in this branch of the farmer’s stock, mas much as bees work for nothing and find themselves.” The Mechanic should keep Bees, as those who work in wood can make their own hives, beside supplying their neighbors; and all will find that, for the little time and capital required, it~ will materially affect their expenses and income. The Horticulturist should keep Bees to gather the delicious U x1 INTRODUCTION nectar which “would else be lost on desert air,” and also to mingle the pollen of flowers, for Trees will flourish all the more, When flowers mate by rifled store. The Invalid, by spending a portion of his time in the open air, caring for his bees, will not only find his purse replenished, but, what is better, returning health. He who with health would live at ease, Should cultivate both fruit and bees; .. Much labor though the first demands, The second ’s for more feeble hands. The Merchant and Professional Man, and all who spend much of their time indoors, will find in bee-keeping a pleasant, health- ful outdoor pastime, invigorating to both mind and body. © | Those who own no land may keep Bees. In raising horses or cattle, one must own or hire his pasture lands. They are very serviceable, but they must be fed. Bees require but little room, and find their own food; for ‘“‘roam where they will, the whole region is their common.” The Aged, and in short, every person, who wishes to engage in a light occupation, which will secure health, ease and indepen- dence, should give this subject an earnest and candid examination Bees multiply rapidly, and one who has ten stocks, may, with care, soon expect to have a hundred, and a moderate increase need not interfere with a large annual harvest of honey. To the wants of what class,of mankind has not the Creator admirably adapted the industry of this insect, and how eloquently this adaptation speaks of his goodness, wisdom and care for the welfare of his creatures? . . TABLE OF CONTENTS. Pact Copious ALPHABETIOAL INDEX.........cccccccveevess DINARS stradanaac aaskcuniectsaceesaesed’devs ke 13 'Cuarter I. Physiology of Bees......... SEAT E Ot GT LITE SOR Tes OER SN Yr em 19 CuHapter II. Neri uima eS wien oes ee eee coats CPN RMN an es Oa 3 25 CHaprter III. Bee Pasturage and: Products isc. stacc. sussteocesece eeoes ciectocctecweeuaee 45 CuarteR IV. Extractors, Comb Foundations, Surplus Honey in Boxes and Maamacted \ Mar ikcetine: Ome ye los. cio sku lc aiub dv sadeasuvacedasareseeechecsemonns oueeeos 58 reerrn ve 4; Amtieial Swanmainy <.000) 1. sare se vseausevecasnsoteoueddaceous decree 94 POH AP TBE Vlei 7) MC UA DIA sidswcresnuleaicoescseadccdusoususenssedelucevasiudresnsendheeaudeetoe sua sees 124 Orwreprwp evel. Diary, Or Homey; Plamtsecsccis.cssccseraceccveccsscaessecneectentccscoucees nen 160 Raacoonny tek. Wionthily Management .., 2:3 sc.cscedeeseseclesosatscaedsreasvactscddeasseasetiers 181 CIP OEUE MON ELIVOS! 22025. Lair slcosleu sso sauuceudetoedateensteetaodaacssodccclededeseversidcosd sasoseesnes ‘200 Cuaprern X. Biography of Bee Keepers.........cccccssecccssscccsccccestscssscccesee eoeeeteci alas i ALPHABETICAL INDEX. Absconding Swarms, 26, 27—How Prevented, 32—How Captured..........sscsssesees 128 Advantages of Bee Keeping, 9—Who should Keep Bees, 11—Profits of, 74........ 157 Advantages of the Nucleus System of Swarming...............ssscsccccssssescssseescoveres 105 Advantages Secured in the Construction Of Hives.............cecsssccesscssceessseneseees 201 After Swarming, 33—Cause of and How Prevented.............sssssccssssescecseoeesrsceees 34 Age of Bees, 20—Queens, 20—Drones, 21—W orker. SY CAPER RIE Rony A ER gay a 22 [OL 2 ETE (CHIN /(3 AS IR TES SASS ee oe Ake 72 A Soe ee CPE Ae 168 Apiary, 124—Best Location, 125—How to Stock it, 127—Monthly Management.. 181 ANG ETOM CCS: O—MOW; SUDOUC a .c.cccsscevcersestercantecesdacrssersrsscoessessseceoccessernnees 42 Ants, How to Banish them from the Apiary............ccssscsesccesseeres susssgeactbeteneastee 143 Artificial Swarming—Time for, 95—Different Methods.............csscccccssseeecneeeeene 97 PANTO SUAOU IAS CIMECD tierce sccsvectecectacecscacssoccescesssscucsdecstecasssnccsienavecessonsacns code ee aiaee 194 Bar Hives and’ Bar Frames used in Germany............sccescsscceessees A eIUN el inaeae sess 202 Basswood or Linden affords much Choice Honey.............-.ccscesecsceeverreees 46,51, 163 Bee Bread or Pollen, 51—Rye Meal Best Substitute 0r................2sssseeceeessenenee - 52 ee Cd Eee a eI oe) Loy aniaesiidianesteuadparolsspadaoas don eushecweosneepesenseacecs ste Escvaacene 155 SCR LG LOL MEL ODO Me ecsieten yn eine vasisacassanrsduccesenssesasenenanteserentssecsaned dudertavscce 52 Bee Houses, 126—A Shed Best and how Constructed...........cscccecsssecssecesceesreese 126 Bee Keeping, 9—Profits of, 157—How to ComMence........ssceseoressssercenseeerereees 128 _ Bee Pasturage, 45—Crops Most Valuable for both Seed and Honey................. 49 Bee Stings, 79—How to Neutralize the Poison.............006+. Ilenedatandaey coslevedtaas couse: 44 xiv : ALPHABETICAL INDEX. BSCR S VON RUC oe. Lees 4 Be Dcakicte deus ead bundetnbaceice deicanctaceetae en teaee ee ee 78 RS S10 a sae eth wh nan oes Bea ese Rae Rc ee eae 44, 84 Bees, Three Classes, 19—Worker, 22—Queen, 21—Her Fertilization, 32—Her TOSS, 3D—OlENS OL 1. dace acne see ea2- sodas ok besada Codedbaco baled ss cevdee soba ee 56 Bees, Killing with Brimstone to Obtain Homney................cs.sessscsesccsensessecccnsceas 201 Bees, Natural Swarming, 25—Hiving, 21—How to Prevent them from Leaving Bie Hive, S2—W iMterin eso... 0s cg.Jeccaeseseccckeoes <> scassevecesaevsneesskeeeceteee eee 146 Bees Wild, How to Hunt Them, 130—How to Trap Robbers or Wild Bees Without Finding thevTree \. ....ccccceginn- nds vesveecouscsedebeGstneeeeae eee 133 Bees, Italian, 107—Superiority of, 109—How to Change Stocks of Common Blaekk Bees ‘bo Wea bia ws ii 5565 Ske ca ys se tencwcsaeo 000s len anavecacosy oueseyeeeneee oe eee eee 114 Bees, Monthly Managent of, 181—Quieting and Handling, 42—Moving, 1385 —Transferring Bees and Combs into Frame Hives................0.ccscsseceeeoes 136, 138 RCCSWAX PREPAC bOR ee eee ees de ee 60, 89 IBCIOWS' SMOKMC Tracie cs devaveasevsavessascatssstaedeccdes icv beaseost daesaceecs Soak caac Peete ERE 43 B05 2 Ld 5 yy ete tae a nr Rey eS ar Ea Be aE ER Se semcoocat oe 175 Boneset or THOrOushnWOrts ose sde- eases onceoocesseseerescece eu sossastscosccsens euecteehenepeeneees 176 Bioprap by, Of BeeukKiGe pers. .. siccc-csesessserssslesesecoccbsecoteptec. eccewcscedscae ee teen eseeeeea 212, 229 Boxes for Surplus Honey, 63—How to Induce the Bees to Commence and Continue Working in. theMmess...c.icc.sccsseiesescevosessconseconcweseroesee ee cese eee eee 66 IBY COIN E ii2o5e. 5 oss derievecdcs eoveasassdecedeccklosebasecevacasvesseocvecssedegcetssoussscs ase eee eee 23 Buckwheat a Valuable Pasturage, 47—Time of SOWinG.............:csccccccsessecessseces 50 Buying Bees,-How to Select Valuable Stock.................00.:osscesscsccessescesnansessacenee 127 SPOT OT QUCEME A csi set ccasesmenccerncda cvasacccud oadcuosseccbocsecssweserons gactvaceinctodeeesseasaeteeeee 122 Candy.ias Food for Bees 1) Winter; 2...2:sascesccoscssccseestbes decadence ddace-aceaateeeeee ee 153 Catnip 39a: FUOMCY, | Crop): ccc cass cccsccedesdncdssdeaveecsescccessessvectead Wecesetoese ee eee 46—51 Cainip, Motherwortand, Hoarhoundy .3: .....-c2--2s-c.s0cer 0s \acaves doaedesssseseen-aaceeeeeneereeee 175 Caution to the BESINNEN, ic. kc ies ss dsbeeesd cdossscacescndevepie dedscecsomaateoasccteoleceeeeeeeeeeteeee 84 Cells, different size of Drone and Worker, 24—Royal Cells...............021seesacssoveees 102 Cocoon spun by Young Bee as left in the Cell. ........0.scssssas--se-csnsccesecusestereeeeteaees 56 Colony if Prosperous, CONSIStS Of; 25.2 scceseeescesvacaccaeessesensesscsecceaceeceeeeerseeeee wsheusleeesee 19 COLOT OF IVES sacs ccs stonscessoacccas ence Sschesdescscadecdocenncncsescscas soNeces (Steease teeta eee 205 Comb Foundation, 61—How to Fasten in Frame, 87—Advantage of Using it,......88 Comb, Composition of, 52—To secure it Built True in Frames,.............csceesesseeees 54 Comb, Drone and Worker, 24, 100—To Preserve from Moth,..............ccceseecscecseee 144 Comb, only Defective to be Removed, 56—Melting into Wak.............ssscccssceeeeees 57 City Bee Keeping.,,..........0..csssssees i Sbuavouvestascsvedesseve caavl esipedeesssevedevavddsedete eee iL Consumption OF HiOn 6 yatessika ne cc easkceskcvapcacbonllsesaSacboctecteeceenese ate ee \. cacsesooeeuauee Cte Cultivating Honey Crops,.........0c.ccosscssscoesseee gdeovevscateatevseedcctts casces encores eee eee 49 Dampness Injurious tO Bees co osecicccscceseosccaveesceacsscnsvoqesecascoctecrscwesessee eeeeeeeae 56, 151 December: Management, 03.2... sosseccccsabesceuesceecssceeacaceaceesasasestocccns ooscdeeseeneeeeeeeeeeees 198 Defective Combs, . oo Kicaiecoue ssnenssosevedcecdavowsssseescatesccens sat dues donee deeaat eee ra 56 PSAICAUION y 52.0 cc.cosseors odes Actscsensecsabcvepetes sob eu seduces dcsesetdeg tues Cones soo ee eee deceacte Deformed Gollan tiahs, A eee ee he CU ina Td ee ade eh eS EER seen ALPHABETICAL INDEX. : xv MP RMICEE NORINCO EW OV OTC Osco at vad -unicces cabsstssseue'tenaccces-5sedeshqeeteccbesscsso;ceaeseseeoscenessowaas 76 Weseripron of New Improvements, -.......:.-2--.:----ctanessson-arcraascscesacesssansseconssnassenaacne 86 WM EEVA ETO CYS EN ATACS 9.252. o5 cmp e+secrsnocepaasspecedeascoseseancesdasdacacanecelapsiecs secceurees 160, 180 TINUE ee ara ste Soispn Pic c sl nalisenslagninn pai easatpncndpu-donsenaugontdaasa dup cncccccanonssorvvonesuenpascns)secancccrasarvenneee@enseencacostednoennnsasasense 160 Fruit Tree'Flowers Valuable to Induce Early Swarming............-scssssesessseeees 24, 45 Se PR CTIBEL OIC AING CA SLCT SS ccc foe acc cnc teecde co deckesuacaadaseen snd ananpcostoncs onasesonsisscsnseonsstosdesessteicntachuerasaseaan nearer 169 Making Hives im Winter...csussosccsscssssesvensssosssessonsantteccivoiesscadstnteute eo Seeeee tee eee 204 March Management,..........ccsscsccossscoesdsuencenassssencdeectousensenrerenne ete aett eee Ean 184 May “Management... iecccicsessessncscctvecscessssncseeeschieasssesegcussarscentss (reat ataaeee Een 188 Marke tin) HOnme yc catiiscccccsscs sas daceacecanbevascerdnoonatcenes iedesescsaceanctewaae ah ee ee 67 Medicinal Power Of Honey.......dcccscosssvcsescsocsotacseeedescoucbaanesaccesceet teateereeeeeeeeesee 73 MOV Ob ..sicesccenUesciesceceosdebeccssaududdvetuveesaccbssceuscavensn decsescnscr tastes Soret sates teen CRE emeneates 170 Melting Comb into WaX.c.csccss.cosusecetonecncvesowenscceceoucsnssacn sent ccneceeeeneee ieee paeaeneeane DT IMIN PONCE S, sascccescs soesesanneceusecetzeceus sucote ce suesueussecesevadeusectecceceo eae eee Cea acess 177 Moth-Miller, Fear Misdirected..............ccccsesscsscoeceee sndegec tas scecd wolcaleccteeeaenen eameee 142 Monthly Managment... c......cceeseassestssssseseesansacensdesecenedvs-Wees assy eee 181 Movable Comb Hive... :....0c.0 Sicceass sevessacascnacasncdegnes cnade seasteevesnecqeeden tee eeepeeNeeeaeeenee 203 MOVING BeOS i. .seesescdesceveconsdactscceavecssusosdvonsusecbetaccedentethseaceet a 125 PHIMUSGALG. - 25.00. cacccecssvesacctne=-dcesecccnccvaveccasuccuceccvosverscottcsteddene hee eeeee tee = eeemaes 46,50, 178 Natural Swartiing........icc2sccccosess-csesececcecesdeseasuecescesvevepessscusecesteeneeeeee =a 25 INON-S WALTMAN R,, ....sccccecscsvecocuvosseroenseasatecectonstececktousesssecebelcestseeer ches te ee ene ae ae emantae 41 November Managemen nit. . s....52..:.00eseccosscccecanesseracasccsussosenecssdbedecss test eertanetereeeeaae 198 Nucleus: Swarming, 10l—Advantages. Of/......:....sccovcwasssarsonsdanevectsctet seseeceereeenien 105 Observation Hive... sc.cc.c.cccsecsecccesstccsevecccsssvssucs sascleststseceuseeseenteeseteeeeeteeeeeeeeeeane 206 October Managment............... posdchbsnedcaxcennnusanshorasnecuesesGar ance btet tees 196 Ovaries:of the Queen: Be@ss. 2.22. sss. cceseaccossacvoucsacabocenecenucwessseceseceeeeee eee eteneeeeneeae 81 Over StOCKING .....ccsccccncevesessctocccsseecdccssssuccesseatevesestecscenonclenscesscnees = eaeee eee Smee 47 PINGING TIVES, 0... .ccsccssecced issanccvcos sgecuccdeesenbcosectetoces cases eee cnt tet eee Eee 205 © Perennial, Plants... ..c2.cceseces ase sic selacebectocbusceancqocedscsccedecstieesseest = eee or 167 Piping of Young Queens..........00..c:00s-ss0ccevessasesedsndcnunbueeten seyaese iat eeetee eee eeeeeeeeem 34 Pollény,orBee. Bread. c.....cccedansecesctwsnessnnesassedeonctvestees voncasee tues soeseee een eee 51 Poplar or Tulip Tree Secretes much Honey...............cecssccocoseneucacoteecnenauescnceees 46 PLeOPAGCC..... ioceescoscccsccostuonseva ecescaces svevdvemecanvedes Nodcvsoedades ta sce sence eee ee saa 5 Preface to the Revised Exdition...22....2..csscecsscseceuascasescenncasceens benecaeee y-oeee eee 7 Prevention Of Swarming io. sseo eek ceoeee eee oacaccedcccducdbacesMismetececescde cceteeeeeaEee 41 Profits Of the A Piary... scccecss sepcecssoas cecceuaceiossnelousnassunoteseoueateee et eee 156 Propolis or Bee Ge ......:.00:cccsesseonsssonensacesnsastuonnecesebceecbyusleeteehet Eeaen gee 52 Purchasing Bees... 02. cccccesiscooseccavvscneoncssccuccauesosceisnhcecuoueeceueeecee ere aaa 127 Queen Bee, 19—Hatching and Fertilization of, 33—Loss Of...........ccssseseceeeereeeee 35 Queen Cage, 122—Queen Cell, 77-S0—How Transferred..........ccccssccsccsseeeeseceeecee 102 Queenless Stocks, 35—Signs. ...ccnsconssecsseceecosecssecuesccseeracnapnnsscdcencee eee eee 36 Quaietine Bees..........c...cewessssonniscseececcdsesscorepenseve cuuiessak ver steleneaeas eee 42 Raspberries Yield Much Fine Honey........0.sccccessecoscsessetengeseoto eee 46, 162 Removing Honey. Boxes..........n soceesespeestenscoseeveseadancencscsscuskheseeeeaeeee Egan naan 94 ALPHABETICAL INDEX. xvii Se APIO LOCULVIE’ WOM cc .ccsccdeseaiesioacdessesedssecpaasovecesontccapssecdsecccesesee Siscavesene 56 Robbing, 140—Trapping Robbers or Wild Bees...........:cccseccssecccesccsestceseeceeceeeace 133 RMON, 26. 0, LO2——TeOV Al SOU c.ccciinccesscccevewocoencbsidecsonscccdsececcecdecccadsccscncase 20,25 Raising Italian Queens as a Business... or Sa Meee eet eseecioadlsael: Aol Rye Meal Best Substitute for Pollen to fedees Early ecedene. cateecree ree teoceeeS Uae Second and Third Swarms or After SWarms. .......0ccscccccecasasscoccccsscsseccossassacsesesse 33 Shipping Queens... BU erate ets ze caatihaeiat ea ed del nasa ase Scuicenaa dove vaseeeaatanee cee oes Peers ee i ba Seaigunsvalsa em 7 DIARY OF HONEY PLANTS. 165 to revel in its white fringe-like flowers, of a delicate odor, resembling honey scented with anise. It is one of our finest honey plants.” It blooms in spring, soon after the fruit trees cease to yield their honey. Rev. James W. Shearer, formerly of Virginia, tells us that through many of the poorest parts of Virginia and the Carolinas, the persimmon tree abounds, and describes it thus : ‘*Tt is a tree seldom found in the forests, but abounds in waste land throughout many parts of Virginiaand North Carolina. It grows from twenty to forty feet in height, and is peculiar in this respect, that when left for shade, the soil around and under the tree is enriched, and grain will grow even up to the roots better than in the surrounding soil. The fruit, which is a very sure crop, is unfit for use until after heavy frost fallsupon it on the tree. When fully matured in winter it tastes very similar to the date of commerce. In many section where the persim- mon abounds the land can be bought at very cheap rates.” THE ORANGE. In the far South, where the orange is grown, bees gather honey from its blossoms in abundance, whilst northern bee-keepers have their hives in the cellar or covered deep in the snow. THE SOUR-WOOD, OR SORREL TREE. The sour-wood is a small tree, abounding in the natural forests in many parts of the South, from Virginia to Georgia. It grows from twenty-five to forty feet high, and in the early summer is full of fringes cf blossoms, which afford large amounts of the most beautifulland delicious honey in the world. Each little blossom somewhat resembles the cup of the lilly of the valley, but somewhat between it and the mountain ? ° 166 SOUR-WOOD, OR SORREL TREE. laurel in appearance. The tree is covered with these little cups, which are so rich in honey that it is pleasant to suck the honey from the bios- soms. Rev. J. W. Shearer tells us that he has often, whilst riding along the road, broken off bunches of the blossoms and sucked them, to get the refreshing honey, or shaken the honey from their cups into his hand and eaten it. He declares it to be in flavor and appearance superior to any honey with which he is acquainted. It is a slow growth, and the wood is hardand firm. Thegeneral growth of the tree is somewhat like the dog-wood. In addition to the above mentioned shrubs, and trees there are many which produée much honey in different parts of our broad and diversi- fied land. The first place must be given to basswood and sour-wood, among honey producing trees, and these followed by the magnolias, orange, lemon, locust, maple, the poplar or tulip tree, white-wood, red- wood, fruit trees of all kinds, the persimmon, the button-wood, the butter bush, chestnut, the Judas tree, black gum, mezquith, and many others. SHRUBS—RASPBERRIES, First among shrubs stands the raspberry, and of these the red rasp- berry is the best for honey. In the South the andromedas of different kinds, known by various names as ‘‘ heathworths,” ‘‘bee meadow,” and ‘‘ leather leaf,” are more profitable for honey. THE SUMAC yields an abundance of good honey wherever it isfound. There are in some sections two varieties—the early and the late. Both are shrubs growing from five to fifteen feet high. The early variety has red berries when ripe, and the late, yellow berries. The early sumac begins to DAIRY OF HONEY PLANTS, 167 bloom in June, and lasts from three to four weeks. The blossoms coming out in succession. The later variety blossoms'in August and yields good-pasturage for two or three weeks. This plant is found in greatabundance in many parts of our country. It has become of con- siderable importance as an article of commerce. The leaves are gather- ed, dried and ground. It is used extensively for dyeing purposes. The willows and alders are very timely for bees in spring. Besides these there area number of shrubs of great local importance to the bee- keeper’s success, the witch hazel, hawthorn, the wild crab apple, blackberry, wild cherry, the Virginia creeper, the bush honey suckle, St. John worts and many others. Each bee-keeper should study well the floraof his own locality and manage his bees with discretion accord- ing to the expected honey flow. The only general advice we would give concerning the cultivation of | trees for honey, beyond that given on page 155, is once more to call at- ° tention to the importance of good fruit on every farm, and the necessity for shade trees for stock. Where the persimmon abounds, its peculiar character of.not impovershing the soil, makes it a most excellent shade tree for cattle, at the same time a treasure to the bees when in bloom. - The locust should be planted along lanes and in spare places, because of the great value of its timber for posts when cut, as well as for bees whilst growing. PERENNIAL PLANTS. Firstamong these stand the clovers—white and alsike. “White clover is two well known to need any description. It should be sown among - other grasses for pasture land. If sown alone it takes from eight to twelve pounds totheacre. It begins to yield honey about the first of June and continues from four to six weeks. PERENNIAL PLANTS. 168 i} Ai) Z wy Zi, J. ALSIKE CLOVER. DIARY OF HONEY PLANTS. ‘ : 169 Alsike clover seems to be intermediate between the white and red in size of growth and also in the size of color of the blossom. The seed is only about half the size of red clover seed, and it requires only half as much by. measure to sow an acre. In cther respects alsike clover is sown and treated like other clover.. In sowing only from five to seven, pounds per acre is needed. Itseems to furnish richer pasturage than red clover and at the same time has all the advantages of white clover - for honey. When cut at different times during the summer, it yields an abundance of honey. The seed is still high, and as it is growing in favor with farmers the demand for the seed is so great that the price is good. It succeeds best in a cool, moist, loamy soil. Lucerne seems in some sections to yield honey in abundance, whilst others report that they have it in abundance, vet have never seen bees at work upon it. Sow as clover, with from twelve to eighteen pounds peracre. It may be thatsome do not consider it a honey plant because during its season other honey, which the bees prefer, is so abundant that they neglect it, whilst in other sections they visit this plant in quantities. These remarks apply not only to lucerne, but to many other bee-plants, which in other communities are not visited by bees. This insect is very choice—like a boy at dinner. Let him commence on dessert and he will be content to make his whole meal of cake, pie, © and puddings, to the neglect of potatoes, bread, and cabbage, So Bees will always work on that plant which they find at the time preferable for honey in the vicinity, to the neglect of other good honey plants, which would be visited in the absence of the first. Again, another reacon why certain flowers yield much honey in one vicinity, and notin another, seems to depend upon the nature of the soil and climate, yet we are unable at present to give more than general reasons, which the progress of the bee-keeping industry must examine, and settle so far 170 MELILOT. as possible. It is well known that certain flowers yield honey all day and others, only inthe morning. Some secrete it only in moist, warm weather, and others, in cool weather. Fruit trees fail sometimes to yield honey in cold, cloudy weather. Buckwheat yields none of consequence in very hot and dry, or in yery wet weather. Many have noticed that in two fields, side by side, which have been managed differently, bees will be found thick on the blossoms in one, whilst not a bee is seen on the same kind of blossoms in the other. And besides, many have noticed that one season bees work greedily on a plant, which they will not touch another year. The reason may be either, First. Because for some cause affected by climate or soil, there is no secretion of honey one year; or, Second. Because some other blossoms at the time yields more honey which the bees prefer. Extremes of cold or heat, wet or dry weather are apt to seriously af- fect the flow of honey, and besides flowers grown in hard poor soil oftimes yield much less honey than others of the same kind near by in soil which is in good cultivation, moist, and fertile. So many different things, climatic and otherwise affect the honey flow, that we should not too suddenly conclude that any given plant does notyield honey because in one particular locality, under one management, and in any particular year it failed to produce honey as we expected. This whole field is a comparatively new one, and one which may well claim careful study by apiarians in the future. MELILOT. Melilot is a handsome plant; butit is uselesss, except for ornament DIARY OF HONEY PLANTS. 171 and for honey. It yields finely, but when established becomes a very troublesome weed. Itisanannual. "We mention it here because of its popular name—sweet clover. Sow three or four pounds to the acre. MELILOT. GOLDEN ROD AND ASTERS. These fall flowers stand perhaps next to clovers among perennial plants as honey producers. Both the Golden Rod and the Aster abound in large parts of the United States. There are many varieties of each, yet neither are to be recommended for cultivation, because, like the Oxeyed Daisy and the Blue Thistle, they are looked onas weeds. They spring up in abundance in uncultivated fields. The Golden Rod may be known by its ‘general appearance. It runs up in a stalk from one to 172 GOLDEN ROD AND ASTERS. SA GOLDEN ROD. DIARY OF HONEY PLANTS. 173 turee feet high,—a rod above the plant capped by a bunch of yellow flowers. It blooms in September, and in some sections furnishes an im- portant part of winter stores for bees. In many places both the Golden diod and the Asters abound, and as they blossom at the same time the | honey isaptto bemixed. 'The Aster yieldsa lighter colored honey than the Golden Rod, when the weather is such as to secrete it rapidly. Few apiarians are aware of the immense quantities of honey which _ may be obtained from the Aster, because hives are generally filled with honey for winter, and the bees are not stimulated to active effort, and bees at this season are loth to build comb in boxes for storing it. Since the introduction of comb-foundation great amounts of Aster honey may be gotten from the broodnest, by the use of the extractor. So soon as the harvest opens, remove all the sealed combs, and fill their places with sheets of comb-foundation. The bees are stimulated to the iatensest activity. Every few days the honey should be extracted. When the harvest is over remove these new frames, to be kept for build- ing up in Spring, and return the full combs for winter. It was from the white aster that Rev. J. W. Shearer secured, in Tennessee, such a yield in 1874. He commenced with one swarm, as reported in the Magazine at the time, and in September and October extracted near five hundred pounds of aster honey, from five colonies, to which they had been increased during the summer, besides leaving a full winter supply in each of the five hives. With improved methods of securing this honey, it should receive more attention wherever this flower abounds. In the Fall the fields are white with the aster throngh many parts of the Eastern and Middle States. There are many varieties of aster called popularly by different names ‘Iron Weed,” ‘‘ Farewell Summer,” ««Rag-weed,” ‘‘Stickweed,” &c. in different regions. The Blue Aster is not so common, but is as good a honey plant. SS AZ y ly) ; Sr/ Va N/A) CG 2 ; f fi : \ SS hig N BLUE ASTER. * DIARY OF HONEY PLANTS. 175 The Aster grows from one to three feet high. It sends forth one main stalk, with several branches, each of which is covered with small white flowers, varying from one to five hundred blossoms on a stalk. They centinue to open for weeks, until heavy frosts kill them. Slight frosts do not effect the blossoms, and bees can generally find honey in the late blossoms, until cold weather confines them to the hive. . BORAGE. Of this plant, Mr. Langstroth says: ‘‘Ifthereisany plant which would justify cultivation exclusively for bees, it is the borage. It blossoms continually from June until severe frost, and like the raspberry, is fre- -quented by bees even in moist weather. The honey from it is of a superior quality, and an acre would support a large number of stocks.” CATNIP, MOTHERWORT, AND HOARHOUND. These three plants blossom about the middle of June, and remain in blossom from four tosix weeks. The flowers are very rich, and are’ - visited by the bees at all hours and in nearly all kinds of weather. Mr. M. Quinby says: ‘‘In a few instances, I have known the catnip to last twelve weeks, yielding honey during the whole time. If there is any plant I would cultivate specially for honey it would be the catnip. I find nothing to surpass it.” - | Perhaps it is best to cultivate only such plants asare useful otherwise and incidentally yield much honey. Catnip seed scattered in fence corn- ers, stony places, or along hedge rows, which are not kept in cultivation, will pay well. TEASEL. This plant is cultivated largely in some parts of New York for its dried blossoms, which are used by the manufacturers in taking the nan ‘ : 176 ANNUALS. from cloth. It yields a beautifulhoney in large quantities, but coming almost with basswood, cannot be cultivated solely for honey. It begins to bloom about July 10th, and lasts from twenty to twenty-five days— about a week longer than basswood. It is much thmner than bass- wood and beautifully white,—almost transparent when sealed up in the comb, but the flavor is strong and objectionable to many people. BONESET OR THOROUGHWORT. This plant ylelds honey during July and August, sometimes a little - into September. In some localities and seasons it yields good honey very liberally. Beside these, the whole families of mints, balms, and mallows are good honey plants. Plants of the genus Cleome, Polanisia, and Sophau- thus abound in the great North-west, from Illinois to Oregon, and yield good supplies of honey. Early in the Spring bees are assisted in pollen gathering by the dandelion and crocus, which show their blossoms soon after the first warm weather sets in. ANNUALS. First in importance among annuals stands buckwheat, though not first in the quality of honey. Buckwheat honey is quite dark, but rich a and good. This grain cannot be raised to advantage where the sum- — q mer is long and hot. In cool mountanious regions the yield is best- Bees generally work on buckwheat during the month of August, unless the weather is extremely dry or wet. Ifanacre ortwo of buckwheat be sown a month or six weeks before the regular time for sowing it will yield honey for the bees just when pasturage fails in most places—from a DIARY OF BONEY PLANTS. 177 the middle of July to the middle of August. Sow from two to three pecks per acre, in May, June, and July, to yield the best pasturage for bees. MIGNONETTE. ° We believe that this well known fragrant favorite can be grown specially for honey with advantage. Its honey properties are well known, yet recent experiments have shown it more rich in honey than is generally believed. It is a hardy annual, and in good soil, in ordi- nary seasons, will bloom continuously until frost. About gardens, in borders, among shrubbery it is a favorite, because of its rapid growth, continued delicate blossoms, and fragrant smell. Bees visit this flower from ‘‘ early dawn to dewy eve,” and in all kinds of weather when they can fly. Itshould be sown in an open border, in April and May, and should be thined out or transplanted, giving each plant plenty of room. For cultivation, the plants should be in rows two feet apart—wide enough apart for the plow—and the plants some ten inches distant in the row. In good soil they spread rapidly, so as to cover the ground. If well thinned in this way, the plants will become much stronger and produce larger spikes of bloom. So faras we know all who have ex- perimented with it, agree that properly cultivated for bee forage, it pays well. Mr. J. E. Johnson, editor of the Utah Pomologist, writes us as follows: . ‘‘After a continued experience of ten yearsI find that mignonette is the best honey plant Ihave found. Itis almost as hardy, and blos- soms as late asany honey plant, and is an ever bloomer, giving myriads of blossoms, and is covered continually by the bees. I find there is no plant that will furnish as much honey the year round, nor none that gives it better flavor. I believe that one acre of mignonette would 178 MUSTARD AND TURNIPS. furnish sufficient pasturage for one hundred stocks of bees. Certainly I have nothing in my list of plants, unless it is the English mustard, that bees work more freely on. Honey made from this plant has the most delicious flavor of any we have ever tasted, and where it has been tested in market, is far ahead of California orany other brands of honey — and brings much higher price.” Mr. Wm. Thompson, of Michigan, confirms these statements general- ly, from his own experience in raising this plant, and adds, ‘‘ Bee- keepers, after this, need not concern themselves about selecting a favor- able location for their apiary. ‘They can make it what they will, at very little expense. An acre of land put into good fertile condition, and planted in mignonette, will accomplish all that is necessary to render — the situation as favorable as any thatcan be found. Thisadds another tothe discoveries, which are rendering bee-keeping a thoroughly estab- lished science, and giving the bee-keeper an.entire control of the situation.” The seed is about twice as large as that of the turnip, and it requires from one and one-half to two pounds to the acre. It can be obtained from any florist or from this office by the package, ounce, or pound. It costs about $1.50 per pound, twenty-five cents per ounce, or ten cents per paper. The established sweet varieties are, we believe, the best for honey. MUSTARD AND TURNIPS. Next to mignonette stands mustard, as one to be cultivated for honey. It blossoms at the time of the drought between white clover and buckwheat. It should be sown in Spring as early as the weather and soil will permit, planting from four to six quarts to the,acre. Itis \ DIARY OF HONEY PLANTS. 179 best to sow itin driils one foot apart, though it is often sown in beds. In rich soilthe stalks on from three to five feet high, and are covered with blossoms. ‘This is not alone useful for honey. The tops make a good salad in early spring, and manufacturers of mustard for table use pay a good price for it. The black mustard yields honey most abundantly. The turnip blossoms at the proper time to furnish good pasturage during the drought, just after the fruit trees yield is over. In the Southern States, when turnips are not winterkilled, the small ones lef in the ground in the fall, will produce an abundance of flowers, rich in honey, at this season. From the Northwest ‘various annuals rich in noaey are reported such as Chickweed, Smartweed, Spanish Needle, Silk Poppy, the Minne- sota bee plant, and the Rocky Mountain bee plant.. Besides these a variety are found in almost seo section, differing according toclimate, which yield honey to a greater or less extent. Among these are the blossoms of melons, pumpkins, squash, and cucumbers, peas of dif- ferent kinds, the snap dragon, the wild parsnip, which in some regions is very valuable, heaths, holly hocks, sunflowers, and many others. Among all these thereare none which we would recommend to be cultivated for honey save fruit trees, and raspberries, with basswood, and other superior trees from the list for shade trees, and groves; and as crops, buckwheat, mustard, turnips, and mignonette, as ati mended before. We must always remember that any given honey producing plant or free does not uniformly secrete the same quantity of nectar one year { 180 MUSTARD AND TURNIPS. with another, although it may be profuse in blossoms, since much depends upon the state or condition of the air and soil, during its” period of bloom ; yet, it is also true that many plants blooming at the same time require very different conditions of the atmosphere in order to secrete the largest quantity of which they are capable, some require a © dry, others a humid, and many an intermediate condition. This is a field for future examination and experiment, CHAPTER Vill. MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. This department, the experienced bee-keeper will not so much need, as the beginner, for he has learned when to attend to his bees; but the novice continually needs timely advice and warning, least he neglect something, to the great detriment of his apiary. Even the experienced bee-keeper may be assisted in rendering prompt attention, by such a reminder; for all are aware how prone we are to neglect, or postpone, that which is of importance, unless reminded of our duty. We do not here propose to include everything which must be borne in mind, but will give general directions which wil! necessarily involve some repeti- tion of what has gone before, which, we trust, is pardonable. JANUARY. Careful apiarians, by this time, have their hivesall properly arranged, either in dry cellars; or, as we prefer and recommend, on tho summer stands, as heretofore directed, ‘unless in very severeclimates. If winter- ed indoors, letthe bees remain as quiet as possible; only examining occasionally to see that no mice are interrupting them. If on the sum- mer stands, they should be examined often, guarding the entrance against mice, who love the warmth of the cluster, unless the entrance is so closed that they cannot enter. Throughout the winter a board should af 182 FEBRUARY. shade the entrance, so that the sunshine may not tempt them out, unless itis quite warm. If thealighting board be hinged to the bottom board, by two small staples, driven in opposite directions in each, it may be turned up when needed for shade, and turned down when they can fly. The board will prevent sun and rain from driving in at the entrance. Hives covered with light snow are protected in the best possible man- ner against cold weather, but when it begins to pack and freeze it should be removed from the entrance, or at least from the holes in the caps, when packed with absorbing material, as heretofore recommended. Do no feeding in this month, unless the bees are about to run out of | stores, and then give a frame of honey, or place honey boxes directly over the cluster. If these are wanting feed with plain white candy. If the candy is burnt in making it isnot a suitable food for the bees. In warm climates these directions are not so important as where the weather is cooler. During this and other winter months, the bee-keeper should prepare his hives, boxesand crates, and whatever is necessary about the apiary, so that he may not be pressed when the bees begin to need his attention, and perhaps the farm, orchard, garden, or other business calls for a share of his efforts. FEBRUARY. Keep the bees stillas quiet as possible, where the weather remains coldand wintry. Butifa warm day comes, uncover the entrance and let the bees have a‘good fly. They can then finish the winter, until the weather tempts them out. Any undue excitement by jaring or, in any % wise disturbing them in cold weather, is very injurious. The bottom | board should be cleared of all obstructions, and the dead bees swept out. If left, they injure the colony. If colonies wintered indoors MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 183 show signs of uneasiness, they should be taken quickly to their summer stands on a warm day fora fly, and returned quickly in the afternoon, when they have ceased to fly. In northern climates rye and oat meal may be fed, during February and March, in a sunny corner, protected from the cold winds: but in the South, natural pollen will be brought in during this month. After its appearance bees cannot be induced to use meal. Such feeding is useless, except in cold climates where the flowers are latein making their appearance. In the far South bees begin their spring work this month— gathering honey, and rearing brood, for the honey harvest and the swarming season is closeat hand. Farther North, light stocks will need feeding, but where once commenced it should be continued regularly. When winter holds on well through February, no liquid food should be given, but candy or loaf sugar, as recommended for January. If bees are not permitted to fly during the winter, they are liable to dysentery. . This disease is present whenever bees discharge their feces in a liquid state in the hive, on the bottom board, or on the combs. This disease seems to rise chiefly from feeding upon bad honey ; increased, perhaps, by improper ventilation, or too great exposure to extremes of weather. Bees have been retained in dry cellars for seven months, from Novem- ber till May, without bad effects There is always danger from this disease when bees are confined to the hive for a long time without void- ing their feces, and their food is inferior. Sometimes fall honey is inferior in quality, or bees being near apple mills, store ina great deal of unwholesome sweet, or else have a supply of inferior food gathered from the honey dew. The best way to prevent dysentery in winter is, to extract inferior or unripe fall honey and feed sugar syrup, as describ- ed in ‘‘September Management,” or else substituting sealed summer honey in its place. But if at any time dysentery appears among bees 184. MARCH. in winter, they should be given an opportunity to fly and void their feces, as soon as possible. If the remaining stores seem to be bad they should then be fed with sugar candy, orif near spring, with sugar syrup. Sudden exposure to cold seems to increase the tendency to the disease ; whilst when in warm comfortable quarters, they generally void their feces in a dry state in winter. Combs soiled by bees having dysentery should be washed by a small stream of water from a syringe. and may be returned to the bees in the Spring. As in January, take care that all the necessary hives, tools, and im- plements are in readiness for summer. MARCH. This is the trying time on bees, and the seed time for the apiarian. Every hive should be examined, and if stores are scant, they should, be supplemented. We cannot too strongly insist on the importance of regular feeding, if once begun. The feeders should be placed under the quilt, so that the bees can get at the warm liquid food, without leaving the cluster. They should not be fed in the morning for two reasons. First, Because it is apt to induce robbing ; and, Secondly, Because when they have warm food during the day, bees are tempted to fly out, and many will thus be chilled. The auger feeder, described under ‘‘Feed- ing” answers well for this season of the year. The syrup should be made quite thin, as bees need much water. Early in March, or six weeks before fruit blossoms willappear, each colony should be confined, to only so many combs as it can well fill, bya movable division board until the combs are pretty well filled with brood, and at intervails of from five to ten days, the combs opened and an empty one inserted. By this means the heat of the colonies is retained, the queen stimulated, and brood reared very rapidly. Be cautious not to expand more rapidly MONTHLY MANAGEMENT 185 than the increasing bees can fully cover the combs. The ventilation from above, should now be stopped and the quilts kept tightly packed, ' 80 as to retain the heat of the hive forrapid development. When there is 3 abundant honey in sealed comb, bees are stimulated to use it by clip- Ne ping off the caps and putting it in the broodnest. If there is sufficient ‘honey in the combs no other feeding should be done at all, unless it is i “to be kept up regularly until the first blossoms appear. Guard carefully against robbing, by leaving no syrup or comb exposed, and by contract- ing the entrances, especially of weak stocks. If any hive is found _ ° *queenless, it should be promptly united with some weak colony, and ‘the combs preserved for use in the summer. Itis a loosing business to attempt to keep a queenless colony. Before they canrear a queen they ‘will almost certainly be lost from dwindling, robbing, or worms. But if united with a weak one, itmakes it strong, and almost doubles its value. In the far North rye meal should be continued until flowers appear, but when wintered indoors we advise always to keep them in until the last of April or the first of May. Ifsuch colonies become un- easy, take them to their summer stands, (being careful to place each upon the site occupied the year before, to prevent confusion when they take their flight) and return them until the cold weather seems to be well over. Colonies wintered in the cellar are not prepared to stand the _ changes to which they are subject, if set out too early, and the result is great loss by ‘‘Spring Dwindling.” Some bee-keepers advise setting such on their summer stands about the middle of this month and begin to feed artificial pollen. If stores are plentiful and sweet, such hives . will go forward gradually with breeding in the cellar, and when warm weather begins to stir {hem, they are in much better condition than if set out earlier. March or April is a good time to buy bees in old hives for transfering. 186 is APRIL. The selected stock should be strong in bees, with dark straight comb and not a last year’s swarm, because 1n this is an old queen. One that has swarmed the preceeding year is much to be preferred as this has a | young fertile queen. | If attention is given regularly to feeding small quantities of syrup every evening, from tkis time until flowers appear, you may expect large stocks and much honey. This is especially desirable when red rasp- berries are abundant. APRIL. This is the month in which bees need the most care. There are few sections in which honey is gathered, except in the far South, though bees are active bringing pollen, and raising young bees in abundance. In any locality it is important that the queen should be laying rapidly six weeeks before the fruit trees blossom, or before the first expected yield of honey. | During this month bees consume large quantities of honey in rearing brood. Ifstores arescant but few bees will be raised, and, perhaps, the abundant brood in the cells will be destroyed. Bees often starve at this season of the year, because the honey is consumed more rapidly than supposed. It is well to continue the operation of spreading the comb and inserting an empty one, or comb-foundation, every eight or ten days when the bees are doing well; being careful not to spread more rapidly than the increasing bees demand. If combs on hand are filled with sealed honey, clip the caps and place it in the centre. The - bees will rapidly use and remove the honey, and the comb be appro- ’ priated to brood-rearing. Be careful to place no drone comb in the midst of the broodnest at this season, unless drones are desired very a early for the purpose of Italianizing. If this is desired a sheet placed in MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. : 187 the centre the first of this month, will give droneas early as swarming is generally desirable in the Middle States. This should be regulated by theclimate. Regular feeding, with thin sugar syrup, about sunset during this month pays well, in additional stores later intheseason. But even _ where the stocks are all strong and feeding deemed unnecessary, it is well to feed in the caps during any continued cold or rainy spell in this month and May. In this month bees from the cellar should be set on the summer stands ‘except far North, where, if they remain quiet, it may be best to wait until the first of May. This should be regulated by the season. They should be set out as soon as warm weather seems to have come and blossoms. begin to appear. In setting out bees, open only a few stocks at a time, until the excitement of first flight is over. In the far north continue feeding rye and oat meal this month, so long as the bees will take it. In the far South the swarming season is approaching and the direc- tions for May and June are more appropriate. In the far North, March management applies. These notes apply more especially to the great middle section of the country. As bees are rapidly increasing during this month, common sense teaches us to take away absorbing material and cover the broodnest as closely as possible with warmer covering, so. as to prevent upward ventilation and retain as much as possible of the animal heat of the hive. There is no danger of getting the hive too hot in this month, except in the far South. Sunshine on the hivestimulates them in spring. . Wherever the wild cherry abounds it is best to give no room for storage of surplus honey from this source. Its honey is excel- lent for building up colonies, but unpleasantly bitter for table use. At this season kill every worm or miller that may be seen. This saves trouble, as each one now rears four generations during summer. 188 MAY. Be carefulin Spring, and then keep strong stocks, and the danger from worm is very small, especially if Italian or hybrid bees are kept. April and May are, perhaps, the best months for transferring. Aprilin the South, and May farther North, when the first great brood rearing is over. If any queenless stocks still remain, unite them as recommend- edin March. Feeble coloniesshould be reinforced bya frame of hatch- ing brood, placed in the centre, during this month. Do not cut away comb because itis dark or even mouldy. _Mouldy orsoiled comb can be easily renovated by water and the extractor. or with a strong syringe, Combs in which bees have died should be cleared of dead bees, even if it be necessary to scrape away a part of the cells on one or both sides of the comb. MAY. If care has been given as recommended, all stocks in mild latitudes should be crowded with brood in all stages of development. In the far North the stimulating of April is now in progress and in the Southern States the honey harvest is well begun. There the June management best applies to this month. It seems to be the instinct of bees at this season to rear as much brood as possible. If any honey is to be gathered they bring it in rapidly. The more honey they get and the more they are fed the more rapidly they increase, provided the broodnestis notfilled with it. Ifcold, windy, or rainy weather continue for several days, hives are very much checked in development and injured. Hence, under such circumstances, they should always be fed. Let the sun shine on the hives as much as pos- sible during this month. Different management should be followed this month, if rapid increase of stocks is desired, instead of surplus honey. : 2 MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 189 If increase of stocks is the object much feeding is required, and new comb continually inserted to the capacity of ten or twelve frames, ac- cording tosize. As soonasdrones begin to hatch, by the middle or last of May. divide the strongest hive, by finding the queen and removing the comb to which she adheres and one or two more to anew hive, add- ing from two to four frames of artificial comb, according to the strength of the colony. Remove the old hive to a new locality and place the new one upon the old stand. The old one will rear a number of queen cells ready for insertion into other hives as swarms are made by either of the methods recommended under “‘ Artificial Swarming.” We would advise the above method or that of taking two combs from each of four hives and inserting empty ones in their places for beginners, giving each a queen cell, when made. The novice should never attempt to more than double his colonies. He may expect the best results if he only makes one new swarm from each two, especially if he uses the extractor. We would advise getting an extractor, even though not more than two hives are kept. These directions, concerning swarming, apply in many places to June, according to strength of colonies. If bees begin to ‘‘lay out” when the hives are crowded, they should be divided, the combs extracted, artificial foundation given, or honey boxes puton. Sometimes giving boxes will not set bees to work, and unless an extractor is at hand they should be divided. Ifsurplus honey andnotincrease is sought, the extractor is almost essential. If it is freely used there is much less danger ofswarm- ing. Sometimes bees will take the swarming fever. If so, it is best to swarm them, raise young queens, as described above, and then reunite them with the young queens, giving ample surplus space in boxes at the top and sides, or by filling both the upper and lower chambers with combs, and foundation combs when the extractor is chiefly relied on. 190 ; JUNE. In June we will give specific directions concerning putting on, and the management of boxes, which in middle latitudes where honey appears in abundance, should be used this month. Hives with young queens are much more apt to make worker comb, if empty frames are given, than those with old queens, which make more drone comb. The best way to prevent swarming is by giving empty comb every few days, between two brood combs, by using the extractor freely on the combs in the broodnest, by giving ample surplus boxes, or by placing the hive above another having empty comb below, and closing all the entrances into the upper one, except through the lower. But if the swarming fever has once begun it cannot well be cured, except by dividing, after which they may be reunited. If empty combs at any time are notin use, they should not be packed in a box, or moth eggs will soon hatch and destroy them. Hang them singly in a coolcellar or out building, where the air can pass around them and they are not apt to be injured. JUNE... In ‘most sections in the North and Middle States this month is the great harvest time for the bee-keeper. Itis also the great swarming season and every bee-keeper, who relies on natural swarming, must now keep constant watch over his bees. , z Whenever bees are hived it is always well to put a ental of honey and brood from the old stock into the hive. This will usually prevent the swarm from leaving the hive, andalso furnish necessary supplies should a few days of cool, rainy weather immediately follow. For modes of hiving, and dividing artificially, see the chapter on this subject. There. isalways danger of hives becoming queenless after swarming, as the queen may be lost on her bridal tour, or fail to reach the right hive. ; a ; fe a MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 191 hvixs ' Sucha queenless hive will soon become weak, and is liable to be destroy- ed by worms or robbers ifnot watched. Queenless stocks do not defend themselves as others. Itis better to unite such stocks with others, un- less queen-cells or young queens are at hand to givethem, and afterwards divide aguin, if increase isdesired. Be carefulto remove drone combs from the brood nest that time and honey be not wasted in rearing too “many. To prevent the swarming fever proceed as described in May, by using the extractor, doubling up, and exchanging combs ; or else give timely access to the honey boxes. At first only a small amount of surplus room should be given each hive. After the bees begin to work well in this, other boxes may be added. If starters of comb or comb: foundation be placed in the boxes the bees will more readily commence on them. | At the commencement of a good honey flow at the last of May, or during this month each hive should have some surplus room if box honey is desired. As the season progresses, and the bees are rapidly working, these may be increased by removing and giving new boxes, by removing from the side to the top, or by lifting one tier of boxes and inserting another, according to the arrangement of the hive and the box prepared. Bees store faster in the lower chamber, and seal up the honey more quickly above. Where one has time, perhaps, the most profitable way to manage for honey is, to combine the use of the extrac- tor and boxes. Build up rapidly in the spring, as described. Then in June—having the hive full of bees—contract the broodnest to six or — eight frames—as many as the queen will keep full of brood. On each side place brood frames full of small boxes, hanging in the hives just as the regular frames. (See ‘‘Hives’’ and ‘‘Surplus Honey,”) Two on each side are sufficient. If boxes larger than four and onehalfinches square are used, wire framed division boards, with proper openings, must 152 JULY. ~ be used between them and the’ broodnest. These frames can be con- stantly shifted, placing a full one above to be capped, moving out the inner one and inserting between it and the broodnest a frame filled with - other boxes. As honey is rapidly stored in the broodnest, it may be extracted before itis capped over, the thickest and best drawn off from below and bottled, and the rest refed to the bees, to be stored in the boxes. ‘This can be done to a great advantage during a honey drought, 3c as to keep the queen rapidly laying, and the stock strong for future work. Where the extractor is used regularly it will be found much best to have afew extra combs, and as the combs to be extracted are removed replace them with others, and close up the hive. By keeping the frames in a carrying box, well covered they are exposed but a little time to robbers. If robbers abound they should be carried to a close barn or outer room and extracted. The best time for extracting is in the middle of the day, during a good honey harvest, when most of the old bees are absent in the fields. They willthen scarcely noticethe honey. Extract fromtwo combs at atime. Clipp off the caps witha sharp knife, (see ‘‘Eixtractor”) and hang them on opposite sides, close against the wire frame. Now turn the extractor a few moments until the honey is thrown from the sides next the wire cloth, and then turn the other sides of the combs to the wire cloth and turn as before. New combs, or those having in them pollen or brood should be turned very gently. PORei ie ge Keep a constant watch for queenless colonies, and do not let them dwindle away. Prompt attention saves the colony. All the hives should be kept strong by regular feeding after sunset if pasturage fails, Care should be used at such times in opening hives. Always smoke the MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 193 bees well before attempting it, and move gently, because bees are much more vicious when there is no honey in the fields. Keep boxes on and continue to extract according to the honey supply. If small boxes are used in large frames they may be removed or ex- changed with ease, just as the regular frames, by smoking the bees and then brushing them off with a green twig. When boxes are to be re- moved too much smoke will cause them to eat the caps from the honey, Ifsection boxes, or any with more than one comb is used, itis often dif- ficult to rid the boxes of bees when they are removed, and there is dang- er of losing the young bees by the method recommended, viz., putting into a box or barrel, and-covering it with a sheet, which is turned over frequently as the escaping bees cluster upon it. A successful method is to have each hive numbered and as boxes are removed number them accordingly. Upon this place a corresponding box, with holes open between them, and lay them with the empty box uppermost in the honey house. The young bees willascendintoit. Itisthen closedand placed upon the hive from which the boxis taken. This, however, is troublesome, The best way to remove them when honey is abundant and bees are gathering it rapidly, is to take off the boxes and set them by the hives in the evening. In the morning early the bees will be out, and they should then be removed. Boxes should be watched for a few weeks after they are taken off. If the weather is warm and worms begin to hatch, they should be smoked with sulphur. Itis most successfully used by heating a large piece of iron. Put itin an iron vessel and pour the flour of sulphur upon it: In this way there is no danger from fire. (See under ‘‘ Honey Boxes.”) _~ Insections where darker honey is gathered the last of this month, the nice white basswood, or clover honey comb should be promptly re- moved before it is soiled, or the white honey extracted before it is injur- 194 AUGUST. | \ ed by admixture with the darker. During hot weather be careful always to give the broodnest good ventilation, but keep the boxes clesed for wax working. AUGUST. In many places but little honey is gathered this month, but in others _ the main summer supply is laid away. Of course different manage- ment applies, according 1o location. If honey abounds, continue treat- ment as in July—keeping each hive supplied with boxes, or extracting frequently. Where dark buckwheat is plentiful we advise giving frames of foundation in exchange for sealed combs, which should be set away for winter. We advise this especially where bees can be gotten in the fall from neighbors who ‘‘ take up” their bees and where aster, golden- rod, -smartweed, or other fall flowers abound, which produce good honey. This can be saved and the less salable buckwheat honey be substituted for winter, or used for filling hives for bees gotten from neighbors. This is the best month for Italianizing if it is done by purchasing queens, because they are cheaper than at any other time of the year ; the hives are not necessarily disturbed during their previous work, and they go into winter quarters just right to turn out good Italian workers for the next season. Be carefulalways to have brood reared plentifully this month and next, even if feeding is necessary, because hives strong with young bees in the fall, winter much better, and develope much more rapidly in the spring than those that cease rearing brood at this season of the year. Whenever no good honey harvest is expected after this, care should be promptly taken to see that empty cells are in the centre of the hive for broodrearing, and that there is a full amount of supplies given for winter. | MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 195 During the honey drought in this month, or whenever the bees cease to find honey in the fields, they aremuch more difficult to handle and much more given to robbing than at any other season. In opening or removing boxes be as gentle as possible, and always smoke well before opening a hive. Keep all stocks strong. If any seems weak build it up by inserting from one able to spare it, a comb or two of hatching brood. Keep the entrances contracted so as to prevent robbing. If it has fairly commenced stop it as recommended under ‘Robbing.’ _ Leave no sweets or bits of comb exposed. It box honey is placed in a cool dry cellar there is less danger from hatching worms; and less yet if the combs are set on a shelf an inch or ¢wo apart, so as to permit the free circulation of air around them. SEPTEMBER. This month’s operations are very important in preparing hives for winter. Unsealed late honey is generally poor winter food for bees. Hence if close extracting be continued late there is always danger, un- less full sealed combs have been set away for them, or unless this be extracted and good sugar syrup be given as recommenced in the chapter on ‘‘ Wintering.” Bat where many fall flowers abound the main sur- plus of the year is sometimes gathered this month. Hence prompt at tention should be given. To gather this fall honey the extractor is almost invaluable; for it will be not be stored in boxes when comb must be built anything like so rapidly as in the brood nest, which instinct teaches them must be filled now for winter. This, like August, is a goodtime to introduce Italian queens or others in order to secure new brood, which is, as we believe, no less important with bees than other live stock. Keep no queenless stocks beyond this month, unless queens are ex- 196 OCTOBER. pected to be introduced, and in that case insert a comb or two of hatch- ing brood from some that can spare them, in order to secure a supply of young bees for winter, Wherelittle honey is gathered, the last of July and throughout August, but the fall harvest is good, the best time to divide bees is just after the summer harvest closes. By regular feeding during this time all the necessary queens may be reared, a good increase obtained, and the hives are all strong with bees to gather the fall honey and are also in the best condition for wintering. In readjusting the comb for winter in this month or next, according to climate and honey flow, be careful always to give each hive a comb or two containing bee-bread, and in northern latitudes to cut a hole in each comb for winter passages, aS recommended under ‘‘ Wintering.” Queens known tobe.old should always be replaced by young ones in the fall, even though you have to purchase the young queen. With a little care a supply of young queens may be easily kept on hand this time of the year. If feeding is necessary feed as rapidly as possible, unless it is desirable to stimulate broodrearing. Directions as to modes of ship- ping honey will be given next month. In this month do not fail to contribute to, and carefully examine the bee department in your local and State fairs. You can there often get valuable information. But if there is no interest taken in this subject go to work and show its importance, and let the people know the great advantages of improved bee culture over old methods. OCTOBER. Except in the South complete all arrangements for winter early this month, and there where the honey flow ceases. See that each hive has proper absorbing material above, holes in the caps to give upward / MONTHLY MANAGEMENT 197 ventilation, the entrances contracted soas to keep out mice, andall snug for winter. Spare combs should be carefully preserved and laid away for use in the spring. Small and queenless colonies should be united, winter passages made, old queens superseded, and young ones intro- duced. Queens may be reared thus late by keeping one strong colony queenless, so that it will re‘ain drones for fertilization. Some stocks if not extracted may have toomuch honey. Ifso stittae ize them by exchanging with some poorer colony, and see that some empty comb is left near the bottom of the central frames for clustering. In modern climates sufficient passage is given from comb to comb for winter by laying a stick aninch in diameter across the frames, under the quilt, but in cold climates both this and holes in the comb are recom- mended. Remember that the essentials of good wintering are, a plenty of young bees with a fertile queen, an abundance of good sealed honey easily accessible, and warmth with proper ventilation. A good cotton quilt with three or four thicknesses of batting, makes perhaps, as good as any obsorbing material, Itis light and may be easily removed for feeding or for examination. To unite beessmoke them thoroughly and sprinkle them with sweeten- ed water, strongly scented with anise or peppermint, and either shake the beesaltogether into an empty box, using as many of the best combs as are necessary in the new hive, and then pourthe bees at the entrance of the hive, or after smoking and sprinkling well put one frame alter- nately from each hive into the new hive, brushing all the bees off at the - extrance and set this new hive in an intermediate position between the two. If any boxes have remained on till this month they should be now removed and packed as neatly as possible in crates with glass sides, as recommended under the head of ‘‘Crates.” Ifyour honey is extracted 198 NOVEMBER. drain off any thin honey on the top of your jar or bottle. Seal it up neatly, labeling it with your name, apiary, and kind of: honey, and then sell as conveniently to your ownhome as you canto advantage. Itis al- ways well to let the people know the superiority of honey gathered by im- proved methods so asto build up a local trade and increase consumption. Boxes of comb honey should be packed rather tight in crates. In mak- ing large shipments it is best to attend the car to see that they are handled safely. Smallamounts may be sent securely in shipping boxes in which the crates are supported on small wire coil springs or rubber tubing. NOVEMBER. The honey season is now over, andallthe hives should have been pre- pared for winter, but ifa few have been neglected they may beso prepared onsome warm day in this month. Ifhives are to be taken indoors they should not be carried in before the cold weather has set inin earnest, or it may be necessary to return them to their summer stands because of uneasiness. The later they are housed the better, provided the weather continues open, so that the bees can fly and void their feces. It is better to take them in the day after they have flown freely. Before cold weather sets in, colonies to be wintered on summer stands, should be packed with absorbing material, and given upward ventilation through it. In the far South some parts of October management best suits this month. Unite all weak stocks after smoking well, as recommended last month. They will not fight much now when united. See that all unused hives or implements are carefully housed for the winter. DECEMBER: This should be a month of repose with the bees. Less brood isreared in November and December than in any other par: of the year. Nowis ° MONTHLY MANAGEMENT 199 the time to study the bee business, prepare hives, crates and boxes, and all necessary implements. Decide with regard to setting out shade trees for their honey qualities, orchards, and cultivation of honey crops soas to be able to secure seed or young trees for planting when the time comes. See that hives are protected from cold winds, and occasionally clear the dead bees from the bottom board. As in January, keep the bees quiet as possible. | We would advise beginners especially to study carefully this Monthly Management, and use practical good sense in following it, accord- ing to climate, the particular season, and the honey flow at the time. In bee-keeping it is of the first importance that the right thing be done at the right time. CHAPTER LX, HIVES. Tue value of a hive depends upon its size, shape, and the advantages secured in its construction. SIZE. Hixperience has demonstrated that, as a general rule, when we vary from the correct size, the larger the hive the fewer swarms we get, azd the smaller the hive, the smaller the swarms will be, and the greater the danger of over-swarming. A hive should contain about two thousand cubic inches, in the clear. A stock in a hive of this size, will swarm more regularly than from a larger one, and store more surplus honey. While, if the hive be much smaller, the colony will often fail to lay up provisions enough for our long winters. All the hives should be made of the same size, as a very large swarm will usually be no larger, after a few months, than one of medium size, while a small swarm may be as large as any at the end of the season, much depending upon its having a prolific queen, good weather ani abundant pasturage. SHAPE. Upon the shape of the hive, depends the economy of heat for breeding, and safety in wintering. If a hive of proper size be HIVES. 991 too high, less box honey is obtained; but if too shallow, it not only takes more workers to cover the lower part of the combs, _to protect them from the moth, and keep up the required heax for breeding, but the winter stores are scattered over so large a surface, and of so little depth, that although the heat arising from the swarm will keep the honey warm directly above the bees, they soon consume that to the top of the hive. Wher this happens in very cold weather, if there are no holes through the combs, the bees die of starvation, as it is certain death for them to venture around the edge of the frosty combs by which they are surrounded. Hence, swarms often perish with ample stores in the hive. For these evident reasons, we would recommend that frames be long and shallow in warm climates, and deeper and shorter according to climate, approximating to a square where it becomes very cold. } More box honey can be secured with shallow frames, both because there is more surface for boxes, and because bees store more readily near the broodnest. But this advantage is counterbalanced in cold climates ' by the greater depth for wintering, the greater ease of extracting, and the greater depth for boxes beside the broodnest when shorter and deeper frames are used. “THE ADVANTAGES SECURED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIVES.” Centuries ago, intelligent men were convinced that, if complete control of the bees and combs could be obtained, bee-keeping must become a sure and systematized business, both pleasant and profitable. The practice of murdering whole colonies, with the . brimstone match, for their stores, was gradually abandoned by the imtroduction of surplus honey boxes, with glass »Jea im 202 ORIGIN OF MOVABLE-FRAMES. which the bees would store their tempting sweets in the most beautiful and marketable form. ‘Yet bee culture still bore the stigma of a business of “luck and chance,” or working in the dark, and all attempts at improvement were failures, as there were no facilities for examining the interior of the hive to learn che cause of or apply a remedy for any defect that might there exist. But ‘necessity is the mother of invention.” This dark- ness was first gradually dispelled, in Europe, by the invention of a movable-comb hive, called the ‘‘ Leaf Hive,” by Francis Huber, of Geneva, as early as 1795. It had long been known, that bees would start and build their combs with considerable regularity from strips placed across the top of the hive, by which the combs could be lifted out by cutting loose their side attachments from the hive. These ‘bars ” led to. “bar frames,” which are most briefly described in Mr. Langstroth’s Patent, referred to in note on page 140, in which he shows that he is the inventor of the shallow chamber and some other features connected therewith, which Bin epee which he gives of previous inventions, which we abbreviate as follows: The Huber frame consisted of sections, the top and side bars fitting close together, with no honey receptacles above, but the necessity of cutting the side ~ attachments of the comb was obviated. W. Augustus Munn, #sq., invented the “ bar and frame hive,” aid published a description of it in London, in 1844. In 1851, he published a second edition of his pamphiet, in which, describ ing his ‘improved hive,” he says he has “very materially will be understood by the descriptions © i] HIVES. 203 simplified the construction of the bar and frame hive, by forming the oblong bar-frames into triangular frames, and making them lft oué at the top instead of the back of the bee-box.” M. Debeauvoy published the second edi- tion of his “Guide del Apiculteur,” as early as 1847,in which he describes his ‘10. Oblong Munn Frame, = movable frames with narrow tops and side bars, the tops fitting closely to the honey-board above, and the sides to the walls of the hive. In 1851, he published his third edition in Paris, in which he describes his new frames, having their sides at suitable distances from the bottom and walls of the hive, with the tops fitting closely together, but still in connection with a honey-board above the top bars. Thus, movable-comb frames were much improved and used in many parts of Europe, by Huber, Debeauvoy, Munn, Taylor, Bevan, Golding, Huish, Dzierzon and others, while the ‘brimstone match” bore sway in America. But, the key to successful bee-keeping once found, nothing could stop its progress. The bounds of the Atlantic were passed, and many in our country became acquainted with Huber’s “‘ Leaf Hive” and movable-comb system. HIVE ESSENTIALS, There are now made many good movable comb hives among which the beginner should make choice, and have all the hives in the apiary made just alike, so thatany frame or any part ofa hive will fit any other hive. Exact workmanship is of the first importance. There is now no patent on any important part of movable comb hives, and any person can 904 HIVES. make plain wooden ones as he desires. Perhaps the best way is for — each beginner, if unable to make his own hives and boxes, to get such good hives as are manufactured most convenient to him, and at the best rates from good lumber, We recommend simple stands made of a bottom board the width of the hive and four or five inches longer for an alighting board. This should be nailed to 2x4 inch strips so asto place the hives near the ground. The hive should be hinged on the back end of this, to be raised for cleaning off the bottom board. The frames should hang on metal stips one-fourth of an inch above the edge of the rabbits to pre vent killing bees when handling them, and also to prevent the ends of the frames from being glued down too tightly with propolis. The alight- ing board should slant from the front, that overladen bees may craw! ‘in when blown down by the wind. We recommend that the cap be of the same frame dimensions as the body of the hive so as to be used as a double hive—with two tiers of frames for extracting if desired. The top should be one solid board with good cleats underneath, or if made of two pieces the boards should be well seasoned and tongued and groved and glued to prevent leaking. Formerly honey boards were used above the frames to hold surplus boxes, but they are difficult to make and not so convenient as quilts. These should be made from a simple sheet of ducking or other firm material in which the bees will not gnaw holes. They should bea little larger than the space to be covered, so as to tuck down well and cover the bees, and the cloth be well shrunk before making, lest they become too small after using for a time. They should be hemmed and in the centre of each asmall hole for feeding, covered with a flap, which is raised only when needed. Honey boxes may be set directly on the tops of the frames, or better upon strips resting on the frames, and the quilt HIVE ESSENTIALS. 205 tucked around them to keep in the heat. When sections are used in wide frames they should be closed at the side with a follower which may be tied or held in place by a foot piece which prevents its falling over, Perhaps the best way to manage boxes is to place them in wide two inch frames. These may be either of the dimensions of the regular frame or half the depth so as to hold only one row of small boxes. Two tiers of the latter are used at the sides of the broodnest and one or two above, as desired oras seems necessary. (See ‘‘ Honey Boxes,” p. 56.) These wide frames which hold the honey boxes of the same width have on one side strips of tin wide enough to leave passages for the bees at the bottom and top into the honey boxes of one-fourth to three- eights of an ineh. By this means the comb is secured .accurately in boxes which may afterwards be covered with glass or not, as prefered and packed uniformly in crates to suit the market. Two close fitting division boards should belong to each hive for con- tracting it when necessary and to be used in packing for winter. When not needed below they can be hung in the upper box. Narrow strips of heavy wood having one end cut diagonally make excellent entrance blocks. The bee-keeper should make his hives during winter when not pressed with work, and have a full supply of boxes, and crates, or barrels on hand when the honey season opens. It is too late to make them when the bees begin to need attention. Success depends greatly in pro- vidence for the busy time, and prompt attention when demanded in the apiary. PAINTING AND CLOUDING HIVES. Hives should be painted as soon as made, and three or four weeks before being used, as the smell of fresh paint is offensive to the bees. They may be painted every shade of color, for the sake of variety, but 206 | HIVES. red is most apt to be noticed from a distance, while white or clouded looks best near by. To cloud a hive, paintit white, and while the last coat is fresh, place the hive in a horizontal position, passing under it the smoke and blaze of alamp withasmall round wick. If the clouding be done in a room out of the wind, with a little practice the hives may be made to resemble marble, and are very ornamental, although it costs nothing for material, and can be done in five minutes. OBSERVING HIVES. Nearly all of the facts in the physiology of the honey bee may by tested bv having a glass hive, with a single comb taken from a full hive in the parlor, office or sitting room. If more than one comb is used some of the operations will be hid and the queen will often be between them andinvisible. Observing hives are of littleuse with more than one frame. Thebottom should be made of thick board four inches wide Bore a hole in one end of this, so as to open up into the hive and makea small ventilator, and cover it with wire cloth. The two sides should be of glass, two inches apart, sliding into rabbets in the ends. The queen may be seen depositing eggs in such a hive, without danger, and if acomb with eggs, brood, and bees from an ordinary hive be given, the whole operation of forming queen cells, and rearing queens can be seen. The bottom board should extend three or four inches in front, so that the bees enter from without the room. THE CIRCULAR SAW. One of the absolute necessities about the apiary is a circular saw. It may be run by foot power if the number of colonies is small, but for over twenty colonies, some other power will be required. Unless one is THE CIRCULAR SAW. 207 in the business pretty extensively he can buy the section frames more cheaply than he can make them, but even when these are bought, the saw is indispensible for cutting out frames, hives, and the multitude of small pieces that are constantly needed. The saw being so useful, in this section, we propose to give some directions for managing it so as to have it work satisfactorily. In the first place it is necessary that the saw should be perfectly round. It should be screwed on to the mandrel, and a mark put on both, so that always afterward it may be replaced in exactly the same position, if it is ever required to be removed. Now, the mandrel should be placed in its bearings, and the belt put on, so that it may be just tight enough not to slip. Next an emery wheel should be laid upon the table over the saw slot, and then the table must be lowered until just the points of any teeth that may be longer than others will touch as the saw is turned. ' The saw must be run and the table lowered gradually till every tooth touches, when the saw will be round. The emery stone will. not be in- jured, nor will the saw either, even if some teeth are ground off blunt. | The point does the cutting, and if that is sharp, it does not matter how broad the tooth is. Next the sawisto be filed. The ripper can be filed best with a cant file. [See cut Fig. 1.] Large enough to fit the teeth Fig. 1. of the saw, which by the way, must be as small for the size of the sawas they are ever made. The cross-cut, is filed with the ordinary three- cornered file. The filing must be done entirely on the under side of the tooth, and should not be continued after the point is sharp. The under side of each tooth of the ripper should have the direction of a | _ tangent to a circle of half the diameter of the saw, and if the cross-eut 208 HIVES. of one-third the diameter. Fig. 2 will illustrate the meaning. The teeth on the left are correctly filed , the others incorrectly. ‘The teeth | may be filed slightly flairing by holding the file obliquely, especially of the cross-cut, as they are to be used generally in soft wood. The next operation is setting. This may be done with the ordinary saw-set, Fig. 2. made much like a knife with notches of different widths along the edge for bending the teeth; but a beginner willgenerally succeed best with one of the various patent affairs containing a gauge. Whatever is used the set must be as little as possible—just bending the point of the teeth outside the plane of the saw as in Fig.3. So that the end of the kerf 1g Fig. 3. square across, and not containing a point in the middle, as in Fig, 4. Fia, 4. However carefully the saw may be set, the teeth will probably not ail — get exactly the same amount of bending; so to make them perfectly even the saw must next be jointed. This is done by turning it back- FOUL BROOD. 909 ward and holding an oil stone first against one side and then the other. Next the saw is to be tried, to see ifit is just right. It ought now to cut rapidly, straight and smoothly—every cut a glue joint. If it does not run straight—either drawing the board away from the gauge or wedging itso tightly as to stop—the trouble is either with the sawor the guage. Look at the end of thesaw kerf, if it is pointed on one side or the other, the teeth on the pointed side are too long, and they must be filed again and thus shortened. If the kerf is square across, the trouble is with the guage. It must be made exactly parallel with the saw. If the further end is nearer the saw than the other, the piece will wedge; if nearer, the work can not be held close to the guage. The table should be raised so that the teeth just reach through the piece sawed. | There ought to be a pretty heavy fly wheel connected with the saw, and as much difference between the size of the driving wheel and the pully of the mandrel as convenient, so as to obtain as much speed as possible; But any arrangement of geared wheels to obtain speed is not satisfactory. ‘FOUL BROOD. This is a disease which, as its name indicates, attacks the brood, and soon destroys a colony by preventing any brood from coming to maturity. Weare thankful that personally we know nothing of this disease, Those who have suffered from it pronounce it very fatal, though there seems to be several phases of the disease; some far more fatal than others. The disease is contagious, like small pox or cholera and like these is propagated by very small spores or germs, which attack brood and destroy it. To check or cure this disease the fungus growth must be destroyed. | : _ Salicylic acid has, by experiment in Germany been found to be des- ; 210 FERTILIZATION IN CONFINEMENT. tructive to this foreign growth, if properly applied. Yet some, among whom is John Hunter, state that it has failed with them in effecting a cure. From what we have been able to learn of the disease, we believe that the ordinary type may be cured by the application of the acid as recom- mended by Mr. Muth, of Cincinnati, as follows: Make a solution of 128 grains of salicylic acid, 128 grains soda borax, 16 ounces of water, [distillled preferred.] Spray this solution on the combs containing brood, after uncapping cells that are sealed. ‘The solution does not in- jure the bees, but seems to kill the spores of the disease. ‘The spores find their way into the honey and the disease is spread among bees that eat of the honey from an affected hive. Doubtless robber bees help to scatter the disease. Itis wellin severe cases to remove the bees from the honey for three or four days and then place them in another hive, Remove all affected combs toa single hive. If possible remove the queen, and the bees will clear outthe combs. If it is desirable, sprinkle a second time with the salicylic acid mixture. Butin case the disease seems to be of a very malignant type it may be best, if this remedy fails, and the bees deprived of their queen do not clean up the comb, to drive out the bees and after three or four days put them into new hives, and then use the heroic treatment; burying all the affected combs and thoroughly washing the hives with some disinfectant before being used. FERTILIZATION IN CONFINEMENT. As queens are fertilized on the wing, every person who has reared Italian queens knows the difficulty of getting them purely mated, as they often meet black drones from distant apiaries. This trouble interferes much with the business ef queen rearing, since the bee master must wait several weeks to test the purity of a queen before sending her out, FERTILIZATION IN CONFINEMENT. 211 or else sellmerely as a fertile queen, at a reduced price. The desirabili_ ty of fertilization in confinement, so as to be certain of purity, has been long felt, but has. until recently been considered impossible, and even now some are too incredulous to accepta fact, ‘because I have not done it.” Mrs. Tupper announced her success at artificial fertilization some years ago, but being pressed by business cares—almost broken hearted— and besides ridiculed for her statements, she did not fully carry out her experiments. She communicated her experience to others, who also reported success in a number of cases, when the proper conditions were secured. Mr. Jno. F. Lafferty, of Illinois, states that he has many times suc- ceeded in sending out queens to mate by giving light.on a bright day, when she is two or three daysold. The trouble in allattemptsat artifi- cial fertilization seems to be in ascertaining just when the queen is ready to meet the drone. Many things indicate that the subject is about meeting with a success- ful solution. One of our progressive appiarians informs me that he has this year sueceeded, not only in fertilizing his queens in confinement, but also in selecting the drone with which they shall mate. He has described to us the process which is very simple and practicable, but as _he is already booked for a paper on ‘‘ Fertilization in Confinement ” atthe National Convention, in October next, he will then make known his sys- tem to the public. So much progress has been made in seemingly im- possible matters, it seems strange that lovers of the art would, by un- timely derision, check needed experiments and progress. CHAPTER X. BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KHEPERS. Believing ita subject of interest to most bee-keepers, we devote this chapter to a brief sketch of several persons whose labors have helped to advance the cause of apistic science in modern times. Foremost of all stands Francis Huber, who was born at Geneva, in 1750. He is noted for many wonderful experiments and discoveries in the natural history, physical economy, and habits of the honey bee. By nature a clear and close observer, he was so assiduous in his duties that ‘he lost his eye sight in early life. But nothing daunted, with wonderful perseverance, he continued his researches, using the eyes of his faithful servant, Francis Bernens, for making observations. In 1795 he invent- ed and used his Leaf Hive, which consisted of eight close fitting sections or frames, opening out on hinges, like the leaves of a book. (Doubtless his idea of combs in sections was derived from the observation hives used by naturalists in his day, and improvements on the Grecian hive having top bars and comb guides as described by Abbe Della Recca, in his publication, in Paris, in 1790). 3 The results of Huber’s experiments may be summed up under four heads: First. As to Eygs.—That the queen lays two kinds of eggs. Ore kind } AE 213 BIOGRAPHY CF BEE-KEEPERS. FRANCIS HUBER. 914 BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. ---unfecundated—which producesmales or drones. The other—fertilized —which produces workers, and these—when developed with royal jelly in queen cells—produce perfect females or queens, Second. As to Queens.—That they are the only perfect females; that they leave the hive early in life to meet the drones on the wing; that they are incapable of fertilization after the third week of life, and ever after lay only drone eggs; that one impregnation lasts for life, after which they lay eggs regularly arranged in the comb, one egg in each cell ; that workers which have been partially fed on royal jelly some- times lay eggs, but irregularly and only such as produce drones. He exploded the idea that workers were neuters, proving them to be un. developed females. Third. As to Pollen. —That pollen is the natural food of young bees or larve, when prepared by the nursing bees; that without it brood cannot be reared, and that honey is the chief food of the mature bees. Fourth, That wax is a secretion from the body of the bee, and not gathered as previously supposed. That it is made chiefly from the sac- charine part of honey. ' As his views were received and adopted, others were led to improve on the Leaf Hive. First, by changing the shape of the edges to prevent the destruction of bees in shutting the leaves, then by arrangements for elevating one frame at a time into a glass case for examination, then by using the simple bar, after the Grecian method, lifted from the top of the hive. Then with bar and frames on the principle of a hive within a hive modified and improved as found to-day among apiarians. Naturally barsledto frames. Huber obviated the necessity of cutting the comb loose by having it built in sections of the hive. But for practi cal reasons the. bar and frame was soon used within boxes answering the same purpose. EO. wees BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. 915 “ Henry Taylor, whose ‘‘Manual of Bee-keeping” was first published in 1838, describes a frame like the cut on page 197, in which uprights were used inside the hive to prevent bees from attaching combs to the hive. Major William Augustus Munn, so well known as the author of the revised edition of Dr. Bevan’s book on the honey bee, as early as 1844, described his box with oblong bar and frame. He invented it in 1834, at twenty-four years of age, and after nine years of trial took out letters patent in Paris, in 1843. This was for a box and frame similar to those now in use. (See page 198.) In 1844 he described them fully in a pamphlet published in London, and in 1851 it was fully exhibited at the great fair in London. In 1852 Mr. Langstroth took out letters patent in America, somewhat simplyfying the same principles. About the same time Dzierzon, in Germany invented his new hive. Each seemingly independent of the other adopted similar hives. . Major Munn was a genial, hospitable English gentleman of intelli- gence. Being an enthusiast on bee-culture, he spent much time in studying the nature and habits of bess. Like Quinby he wrote much on the subject for agricultural and other papers. His most lasting work is the revised edition of Dr. Bevan’s great work on the honey bee—the most scientific work ever written on bees i in England. Robert Huish, who published his book on bees in 1840 and 1844, was a man of the highest cultureand ability, a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, at Gollingen, and honorary member of the Natural Institute of France. He seemed to have loved bees and bee-culture, but his work is interesting chiefly as illustrating the folly of theories not based on close observation. His book seemsto have been written mainly to attack Huber and his theories. It showshow truth alone willsurvive 216 BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. \ \\ \\ YY XY i j, ly COPYRIGHT, 1875, BY JoH» NELLIS & BRO», PUBLISHERS, CANAVQHARIE, NeVe ee BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. Y17 while attacks upon it must suffer. Among English apiarians Golding, Hunter, Neighbor, Pettit and Cotton deserve favorable mention. Moses Quinby, of New York, was eminently practical in his efforts and writings; the direct aim of which was to raise bee-keeping to the dignity of a distinct and successful business pursuit. His ‘‘ Mysteries of Bee-keeping ” is the result of twenty years of careful observation and practice, suggested and guided by Dr. Bevan’s book. It was first pub- lished in 1853, almost simultaneous with Mr. Langstroth’s book, and what seemed remarkable at the time, they agreed on almost all the wondrous facts concerning bees, so much at variance with the received notions. This book, with its revised edition of 1865, was eminently prac tical, carrying it even to a fault. His mode of management for common box hives was beneficial in its day; but now, when all progressive bee- keepers want the movable comb hives, this becomes a great fault in the book. Theamount of quiet work doze by him gratuitously in receiving and instructing visitors, in answering letters and enquiries, besides regular contributions to the press on his favorite subject, is amazing. A man of genial presence, of kind and generous impulses, and possessed of true kindness of heart; he is much missed by bee-keepers of our land, and especially by those of his native State, who looked to him as their leader and guide. Many regret that he was not spared to complete a work which he contemplated on advanced bee-culture. The Quinby Hive, though extreme in size, was most successful under his manage- ment. Heis especially known as the iuventor of the Quinby Smoker, by his practical writings, by his peculiar hive, and by the theory—not fully accepted by many—that under proper favorable circumstances the liquid part of honey may be entirely evaporated in the body of the bee. The name of Rev. L. L. Langstroth is a household word with every © advanced apiarian: He was among the first to introduce movable comb 218 BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. - + V1) JURY \ i | | \ Wav Q Ley Ny > \W A \ : ifs REV. L. L, LANGSTROTH. BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. 219 hives into America, taking out letters patent. in 1852 for the hive that still bears his name. Itembodies the oblong frame of Major Munn, and the box of Dr. Bevan. Involving the same principles it is decidedly an improvement in mechanical construction upon those in use in England. Mr. Langstroth deserves, and rightly receives, ereat credit for his perse- vering efforts and experiments in his chosen pursuit, for an abundance of pioneer work, for his zeal in introducing Italian bees, and improve- . ments for doing so. But his book on the ‘‘Honey Bee” is the crown- ing work of his life, and a contribution to apistic science, which wil] continue to live. It lacks the practical character of Quinby’s work, but is far superior in scientific accuracy and beauty of expression to any American work which has yet appeared, or probably will appear, because henceforth the demand is for something more practical. H. A. King has, perhaps, done more than any other man in America in calling the attention of the masses to the importance of improved bee-culture. His American Hive, in its different forms, has, we think, _been used more extensively than any other. The Bee-keepers Journa, commenced in 1868, witha circulation of two thousand copies, at one time ran upto near thirty thousand. ‘‘ Hints to Bee-keepers” ran up to thirty thousand copies, and of the old ‘‘Bee-keepers’ Text Book” up to the present time there has been sold about fifty-one thousand copies. This work, however, was largely the production of N. H. King, deceased, who was one of the real pioneers of scientific bee- keeping, and to him the intensely practical character of this book is due. In 1874 H. A, King, in connection with ourself commenced the publi- cation ofthe DBee-Keepers’ Magazine, and in 1°75 he retired permanently from the bee-business to engage more fully in preaching the Gospel and in the dissemination of religious literature. BIOGRAPHY CF BEE-KEEPERS. 220 \ KEV. H. A. KING. BIOGRAPHY OT BEE-KEEPERS, 221 Baron Von Berlepsch at first violently opposed the theories of Dxierzon, ‘but having by experiment proven their truth, he became, their warmest advocate. His name isassociated with his movable frame hive in Ger- many, which was suggested to him on seeing that used by Dzierzon, in 1838. It wasinvented and used from 1840 to 1845, when he greatly improved it by leaving space between the frames and the walls of the BARON VON BERLEPSCH. hive, to prevent the bees from gluing them fast. They were in all respects the same as the majority of frames now in use, and above the frames this hive had an air space, and above this, a perforated top with surplus honey receptacles. He used this till 1850, when he added side projections to the frames, and described the same in the Bienen- BIOGRAPHY OF BRE-KEEPERS. 222 i i fi CAPTAIN T. E. VON SIEBOLD. BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. 223 Zeitung, for May 1852. It has been adopted as the standard hive by the Italian bee-keepers. Being a man of wealth and leisure he gave much attention to his favorite subject. His last book on bee culture is said to be one of the most complete ever written. He invited Captain T. E. Von Siebold, cae tens | of reetho and anatomy in the University of Munich, to his apiary to test by experiment the theories of Dzierzon, and especially those connected with the par- thenogenesis of the queen.. He found on examination that the parts ad- -hering to a young queen returning to her hive from her bridal tour were identical with the male organs of the drone; that the spermatheca of the queen was filled with the seminal fluid - of the drone, and that worker eggs were accompanied with spermatozoa. Prof. Leuckart, at the request of Baron Berlepsch _ dissected a drone laying queen, and found no semen in the spematheca, In 1852 Dr. Jos. Leidy, of Philadelphia, dissected a queen for Mr. Langstroth, with the same results as with Siebold. These two facts prove the correctness of Dzierzon’s theory, since eggs: of at ee queens do undoubtedly hatch and produce drones. In closing this sketch we must not omit to mention the German apiar- ian Von Hrushka, the inventor of the Honey Extractor, to which we are, in American bee-keeping, so greatly indebted. In theapiary it is second to none of the important discoveries, in practical utility. Few men have taken.a deeper interest in the pioneer work of bee- culture than Mr. W. W. Cary, of Colerain, Massachusetts. About the year 1850 he made the acquaintance of Mr. Langstroth, then living at Greenfield, Mass, aud spent some time with him experimenting with hives and bees. ‘The greatest confidence and friendship has always ex- -isted between them. Hearing in 1860 of the successful importation of BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPESS. 324 t i, Dy ! | y YE? / HH YY) y fi, Y} / ig HL My y Wy i YT | / WM, Wes iy : PROF. LEUCHART. BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. 925 a few Italian bees by Mr. Samuel B. Parsons, of Flushing, New York, Mr. Cary visited him and spent the summer with him in rearing and experimenting with Italian bees. Since then he has labored to dissemi- nate this bee in purity. ’ After one failure Mr. Cary succeeded in procuring a colony of Egyp- WwW. W- CARY. : * tian bees, but finding them inferior to the Italians, he abandoned them without an attempt to sell. Though sixty-four years of age he is still much interested in the in troduction of new races of bees and in furthering in all honorable ways improvements in bee-culture. . 226 BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. Mrs. Ellen S. Tupper has most satisfactorily proven that women may successfully follow this new business. With great industry and per- severance she maintained and educated her large family mainly by bee- keeping. A close observer and pithy writer, she has done much to at- tract attention to this industry. Misfortunes, however, have followed her. At one time her apiary was destroyed by a hurricane. A few years afterwards her house was burned in winter, which involved the loss also of all her bees, as they were wintering in the cellar. Heart-broken and almost, if not quite, demented by losses and physical prostration, other troubles thickened around her, but she is again recovering physically, mentally,and pecuniarily. She has again gathered an apiary, and with a. woman’s perseverance amid trials, comes forward again with her pen to help the cause she loves. It was Mrs. Tupper who first announced suc_ cess in artificial fertilization of queens. Though pronounced impossible her statement is verified by recent experiments. Foremost among German apiarians stands Dzierzon,a Roman Catholic Priest, of Carlesmarkt, in Silesia. In 1838 he adopted a hive with movable bars alone, which was afterward greatly improved. He first discovered that bees will take flour instead of pollen in spring, and introduced its use, but he is best know as the author of the theory of the ‘* Parthenogene- sis of the Queen,” so long derided, but now thoroughly established and accepted. His improvements and remarkable success in bee-culture attracted great attention throughout Germany and rapidly created a revolution in German bee-keeping. Rev. E. Van Slyke is well known to the readers of the bee journals of America, as a scientific apiarist of the most progress- ive school. He commenced in New York City, in 1867, the publ.cation of the American Bee Gazette. It was through its foreign columns that American bee-keepers first became acquainted with the honey extractor 227 BOIGRAPHY GF BEE-KEEPERS. ee My REY. FATHER DZIERZON 228 BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. of Von Hruschka. Two articles on that subject published in two suc- cessive numbers, were hailed with delight and apparent sensation throughout the United States. When Mr. Samuel Wagner, after the late war of the rebellion, resumed the publication of fhe American Bee Journal, a movement was made for consolidation, which resulted in the union of the Gazette and Journal! and afterwards appeared in Washing- ton, D. C., under the name of American Bee Journal and Gazette. Mr. Van Slyke never dealt harshly with the supposed discoverer of new facts in his favorite pursuit, but patiently put them to the test of practical experiment, and so soon as demonstrated to his satisfaction, gave them to the people through the journals of the country.. He was an ardent advocate of the truth of Mrs. Tupper’s discovery of the posibility of fertilizing queen bees in conflnement, now so fully demcnstrated, and practised by Prof. Hasbrouck. Before closing this sketch of those who have rendered valuable service - to apistic science by their writings or other labors, we would not fail to make honorable mention of J. 8. Harbison, Adair, Dr. Metcalf, Prof. A. J. Cook, Mr. A. I. Root, Mr. T. G. Newman, all of whom have added largely to the modern literature pf this subject. While Harbison and Root, with J. E. Hetherington, Adam Grimm, Doolittle, Nellis, Clark, Hosmer, ©. J. Quinby, T. F. Bingham, and a host of others, whose names our limits forbid mention, but whose faithful labors are worthy of all praise, have demonstrated, in the shape of tons of honey, the entire correctness of the new theories of successful bee management, and to whom we still look for yet new discoveries in this fruitful field In mentioning names je make no invidious distinction, but urge all to activity in developing the rich honey resources of our land as they reveal themselves in the blooming flowers. ong | BIOGRAPHY OF BEE-KEEPERS. AN ii | REY. E. VAN SLYKE. THE BEE-KERPERS MAGAZINE, = tO An Illustrated Monthly Journal of 32 octavo pages, devoted entirely to scientific and practical bee-keeping. Its contributors are the best and most experienced bee-keepers of the United States. Large space is deyoted to beginners, giving useful information just when it is most needed throughout the year. TERMS.—$1.50 a year, inadvance. Subscriptions may commence at any time. ~ The New Bee-Keepers’ Text Book. CLOTH, post-paid, : : ; J $1.00. IN PAPER COVERS, post-paid, . : 75 cts. The BEE-KEEPERS’ TEXT Book, of. which there have been sold nearly fifty-three thousand copies, has done more than all others combined to bring to the attention of the masses the importance of rational bee- keeping as a pleasant and profitable life pursuit, and now that the book has been thoroughly revised, largely rewritten, finely illustrated, and brought up to the present advanced stages of bee-keeping, it is hoped that the new book may speedily obtain a wider circulation than that reached by the old. ; ISS" AGENTS WAN TE Da LARGE CASH COMMISSION. Agents canvassing for the MAGAZINE can very profitably handle this Book. We keep on sale all other books on bee-keeping, at publishers’ prices. Address, ORANGE JUDD CO, A. J: KING & CO, 245 Broadway, Or, 61 Hudson St., NEW YORK. NEW YoRE. eee €or) oar SE OF APIARIAN SUPPLIES —<$<$<$<$<—_————— A.J. KING & CO., 61 Hudson St, N.Y. OR, ORANGE JUDD CO., 245 Broadway, N.Y. ———$—$—<— $$$ TERMS :—CASH. J MOTTO :—First-class goods, quick sales and small profits, and prompt- * ness in filling orders. REQUIREMENTS :—Name, Post Office, County and State. Also, if not to go by mail, Express or Freight Office, County and State All to be written very plainly. N.B. The goods offered in this List are manufactured under our direct supervision, and of the best materials, and are first-class in every respect. The bee-hives are painted with two coats of white lead, and are provided with full sets cf frames and surplus honey sections. NEW AMERICAN BEE-HIVE: No. 1 represents the main body or breeding apartment. No. 2 repre_ sents the double tier of four honey-boxes, each one of whichis composed . of seven two pound sections. This hive contains nine regular 12x12 American frames. The cover (not shown in the engraving) is arranged so as to slip down over the body of the hive, making a double wall for wintering. It also reduces the bulk of the hiveso much that the rail- road companies charge but one-half the usual freightrates. 'Thedouble tier of boxes fit exactly inside the brood frames, and when the cover is slipped down, it is almost as compact as when shipped as material. 1 complete Hive, with all accompaniments........ on cients 0 cle so eee 5 to 20 complete Hives, with all accompaniments,.............. 3 50 Material (except glass) in lots of five or more, each.............. 2 25 These two styles of hives (American Eclectic) are deservedly the most popular of any in the market, and are both adapted for either extracted - or box honey and double width frames filled with surplus boxes may be used in the breeding departments as well as in any other hives. We also furnish finished hives of ALL THE OTHER LEADING STYLES, or materials for the same (in lots of five hives each), at lowest rates, Prices furnished on application. ECLECTIC BEE-HIVE. aves aun | fersgu vaca, Beryl BS 9o2") || Zac Oe oo s caer ry “ee 2 oa a The above cut represents the Eclectic Bee Hive (except the cap) with one end cut away to show the inside arrangement. J, the stand ; G@, bottom board of hive, hinged at the back, with hive raisedup alittle to show ease of cleaning bottom board ; H, slide to contract or close entrance ; Z, button to hold slide in place ; K, upper entrance ; #, movable frames, supported on smooth iron metal rest for top bars, and separated at bottom by metal spacer, which is attached to each side of bottom of hive three-eight inch above bottom board to prevent crushing bees; J, close fitting division board, by which the capacity of the hive isregulated. “che honey board on which the surplus receptacles rest ig com- posed ofstrips of board one-fourth inch thick, secured in a manner to prevent sagging and by which ail the surplus honey-may be at once removed. The re- ceptacies consist of six boxes, each of which is composed of four section frames, 4 holding two pounds each. The frames are close fitting at sides and top, and are pound firmly together by strips of tough manilla paper which are glued across thé sides and turned around the end one-fourth inch to hold the glass in place; A, represents a Strip of this paper; B, one section of the box. We thus have all the advantages or large boxes forstoring and handling, combined§with all the advantages of neat two pound sections which may or may not be glassed, but our advice is to use no glass except in the crate. We have given the illustration and discription of our Eclective Hive at the request ofa very large number of subscribers, and will here state that of all we have sent out we have not had one word of fault from purchasers, but on th other hand we have received numerous high commendations. ~ \ 1 Hive, complete in all respects. ..-.....-.esseeee nists elajolela sielelaeteleloiele eile $5 (CO 5 to20 Hives, complete in all respects, CAC... 02... cee een ee ecececccceceses 4 00 Materials complete, except nails and glass, in lots of 5 or more, each....... 2 50 BELLOWS SMOKER. By our last improvement in the Bellows Smoker we believe we have rendered it superior to any and ‘all others now before the public. It is made ot the very best material; has the direct. draft to perfec. tion; burns all kinds of combustibles; utilizes all the wind and smoke; never goes out while there is burning material in the firebarrel, and invari- ably gives unbounded satisfaction, It isalso an- indispensible article in the greenhouse and where ever destructive insects congregate. Also old combs may be so thoroughly fumigated with it as to destroy all eggs or larvee of the moth miller. The size of our New Smoker is the sameas /p Bingham’s standard,which is plenty large enough /p for all purposes. : re: PRICE, $1.00. By Mail, $1.25. GLOVES. Long Rubber Gloves (manufactured for us) by mail, per pair.......-.......$ 2 00 Per dOZeN, DY CXPLTESS.... coe ceccce cece ceeeseceecececes Sondace9 sabdodcosson lls) 0!) Always send the size you want by laying the open hand, palm down, on a piece of paper and mark around it with pencil. ALL METAL GEARED HONEY RYTRACTORS, CHEAP AND DURABLE. By the use of the Honey Extractor the apiarian is enabled to control the amount of honey in the hive and keep the bees and queen at work in the breeding apart- ment, when they would not enfer and work in the surplus boxes, Often in the midst of a good honey harvest the hives become so crowded with heney as to jeave no empty cells in which the queen may depogit eggs to keep up the strength of the stock, and the workers having no more space to fill in the body of the hive, hang idly around, and often collect in large bunches at the entrance of the hives. Muth’s All Metal Extractor (see cut), complete with knife......... scaseeeo P12 00 Improved Root Extractor, suitable for any frame not more than 14x20 inches, with fine spring steel bent shank knife, honey gate all complete..$8 50 to $10. 00 Honey Knives............ nan a so EAS ol SL AP ee Wit ene a a A I AU) The points of superiority of the Muth over the Improved Root or ‘All Metal” are asfollows: First. It is deeper and will hold several gallons below the revolving basket. Second, The shape of the basket keeps the honey frame in its place and also prevents throwing honey over the top. Third, The upright crank Fourth, The covers. etc. We will promptly furnish either machine on receipt of price, or if no knife - 48 needed $1.00 may be dedueted. ueToun DATIONS |: Have now been extensively, and thoroughly tested by all the prominent aplarists of America, and the uniform verdict is that it is a grand suc- cess, and of equal value with movable frames, in the line of profitable bee-keeping. Pure yellow BEES-wax is the only material fit to be used in its manufacture. We are prepared to promptly fill all orders at the following prices: One to ten ibs. 55 cents perlb. Fifty pounds or over, 50 cents per Ib. One hundred pounds or more, 45 cents per Ib. Wemake no extra chargefor packing. Our largest alice are 12x24 inches, and run from 5 to 8 square feet to the pound Our packing boxes are thin and light, and paper is placed between the sheets In ordering, give inside dimensions of frames. Purchasers pay express or freight charges, but if ordered by mailadd twenty-five cents per pound to above prices for postage and extra packing. Samples by mail, ‘post paid, five * cents. ITALIAN BEES AND QUEENS. — We shall, as heretofore, supply our customers with only cHoIcE STOCK, as we know, by experience, thata poor article, especially of live stock, is dear at any price, while a good article is cHEAP ata fair price. The following are as low as we can afford to sell, consistent with a very moderate profit : Full stocks of pure Italian Bees, in movable frame hives, each, ..$15 00 Three frame nucleus stocks in American or Eclectic hive, with MEMES MRONMC OTN fatale nyc g sitar as tuners wht dale Cah ar ati y nha clalitnyehetel eve 9 50 Imported Queens from best districts in Italy............---+++: oreo Home bred Italian queens, guaranteed to be bred from and fertiliz- ed by as good a strain of the genuine Italian as can be found in the world,sent in May..... PRP AES Re TAS TS sioolece (sien: 4 00 Siteaette eRe sy fof ley iene Gen a nics oyons ate Slojplai ee m efettiel ers! eievewieisisi=isicvaieles 3 50 Same sent from July to October........... ccc cee eee e eect eeees 2 50 ene, * ee ‘¢ py the halfdoxen, atone time,each 2 00 Italian Queens ordered from other breeders, safe arrival only PSOAMATILCEO) CAC eo ae eI N i tae rele ieye oes ool vines eeit en, * euearists 1 90 Cyprian Queens bred direct from imported mothers and fertilized . by Cyprian Drones, each,.......,...cee ees e creer ce eteeeees 5 00 Two for $8.00, or three for $10.50. Full stocks innew frame hives 20 00 Safe arrival in all cases guaranteed. BEE Manon tae Black Bobinet with elastic cord by matl....e.....+. aid Matdiareraiereelela we SIMO: Per GOZED, DY Mail... c,000 ceo. vacvecennserresocesscscccsers sosedbooose cove & 80 BEES-WAX ar By the use of this machine all the old black useless comb and scraps are turned ito nice yellow bees Wax, by steam process. Sent Dy @XDNESS.< 5%. a's: eiinie saci cle ciciniclgiosmictercis SoboadboodaRe oc eeccccccscssssee fd 00 Hot water attachment, eXtTa---.- ee iaiate ays tare biascie eteiaterels slelevale’s aa oreo reeiotlebeanc Meee. SEEDS OF HONEY PLANTS. Lucerne Clover Seed by mail post paid, e 1 TD /ala cto loimisierelelele sieinieie (leis eeee $ 60 White | elelere/efojele/eiatn\'s)=\s/a\eiela\clete(oietetsiereiete 60 Melilot 6 ue a ESS os, on heerabaketaueiors, ot, a ar 60 A l\sike se ee SE iG Nu AL I uall © 8 fre toreielerettniers si6i6: startle eee eRe -. 60 Rape SGeG ioe fee de se ae Coy Oi S dlavans etslaisar dG een oM ae eee . 30 Chinese Mustard Seed ‘ £s DA ee AN Anes MABE re 156 cS. sieiele ee OU) Rocky Mountain besplant, by: mail, per 2 0% package. A oot Son tae see 20 Borace SECU Ds cecal cr 0 RS he g GEE ca aie Gi tere a eX) Mignonette.........+- se per ib SAAS Rom O eS i aaa seo oc 1 50 CHIBONDsaagccnn oobaas00 sé SOOW dies i areca vere eisiatel shevaretele jonsassocdesce so" 2 00 Silver Hull Buckwheat (half pound) P2222 Nees os gas one ema See eae eee eee +0 For ae and all other seeds in large quantities write us for wholesale a OUR BEE FEEDER. Some of its advantages over other feeders are the following: Much or little may be fed without any “change in the feeder. When refilling the bees or heat cannot escape. You can always see just how fast the bees are consuming the 100d without touching the feeder. As it allows no heat to escape from the hive, it ay be used at all seasons ol the year with perfect safety. it will feed thick or thin syrup as the case may be. Our new Bee Feeder, bY Mail... c.c ccc c ccc cec ccc ccccnccctccccecncssscccses 10 Sent by EXPLress, PN OZ... .. 5.125 cece ccc ccc case ccs cece sce cccccecescsssenss | O OO All money sent by postoffice orders, drafts on New York city a, or, lastly, in registered letters, are at our risk. Address, ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, Or, _ 245 Broadway, NEW YORK, A. J. RING & Co., 61 Nudson St., New Work, ya